Project A-ko 4: Final Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Project A-ko 4: Final Blu-ray Movie Review

Project A-ko 4 – Final is the finale of the beloved anime franchise. The fourth installment concludes the popular 80s film series with a big bang. Featuring animation produced by APPP (Robot Carnival, Street Fighter Alpha: Generations) and Studio Fantasia (Kirameki Project, Rumbling Hearts), Project A-ko 4 – Final delivers more of the action-packed adventure that fans cherish about the series. Based on the original story by Katsuhiko Nishijima, Kazumi Shirasaka, and Yuji Moriyama, Project A-ko 4 – Final is certainly a must-see for franchise devotees. The theme song is performed by Yumi Shintani and the voice cast includes Asami Mukaidono, Miki Itō, Emi Shinohara, and Michie Tomizawa.

Miss Ayumi Azuchi (Asami Mukaidono) finds herself wondering about her future while at Graviton High. Meanwhile, in the Iraq desert, a lost artifact is discovered and it bears a striking resemblance to the pendant belonging to Miss Ayumi herself. Perhaps there is an unexpected link as mysterious events begin to unfold around Graviton High and the students. Ayumi finds herself agreeing to an arranged marriage to Kei (Tesshō Genda).

Both Eiko "A-ko" Magami (Miki Itō) and Biko "B-ko" Daitokuji (Emi Shinohara) find themselves getting into a fit over the marriage of Kei. A lot of bustling goes on behind the scenes. Last but not least, Shiko "C-ko" Kotobuki (Michie Tomizawa) begins to question her own unique role – while a giant ship of aliens is still heading towards Earth. What will happen with A-ko, B-ko, and C-ko in their final adventures as the curtain closes?

The fourth installment spends time exploring the character Miss Ayumi Azuchi. The change of pace from focusing only on the main trio is something that provides a new layer to the fourth film in the series. A compelling character, Miss Ayumi adds some compelling charm to the feature. Even so, the main trio consisting of A-ko, B-ko, and C-ko remain as the main draw for fans. These characters all provide the series with considerable spunk and energy. Project A-ko just wouldn’t be the same without them.

The character designs by Yuji Moriyama (Maison Ikkoku, All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku) are essential to the film. The designs are wonderful and manage to fit the respective characters well. In exploring these characters through their designs – from the hair to the clothes – the designs work. Essential designs by Moriyama.

Project A-ko 4 – Final provides impressive mecha designs by Sadami Morikawa (Assemble Insert, Knight of the Iron Dragon). The mecha designs are not the forefront of the production but there are some compelling scenes showcasing the mecha elements. While perhaps not as noteworthy as some of the previous Project A-ko installments, the mecha designs in Project A-ko 4 – Final remain important to the film.

The animation by Project A-ko 4 – Final is impeccable and absorbing. The art style is exquisite and this is one of the main reasons the franchise became such a big hit and has managed to create a lasting legacy. The animation direction by Yuji Moriyama (Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honnêamise) is first-rate and is a great showcase for the mastery of Moriyama. Moriyama is unquestionably one of the most gifted animation directors in the industry with some major tentpole films in their filmography. Moriyama was also in charge of the storyboards for Project A-ko 4 – Final as well.

The cinematography by Tadashi Hosono (Tenchi Universe, Space Adventure Cobra) adds charm to Project A-ko 4 – Final too. The visual finesse of the cinematography is one of the highlights of the production. Cinematographer Hosono has a compelling vision and that vision helps to showcase the animation exceptionally well.

Kentarō Haneda (Sherlock Hound, The Super Dimension Fortress Macross) provides Project A-ko 4 – Final with an excellent score. The score is first-rate and a nice addition to the film. The music provides great energy and life to the production. Project A-ko 4 – Final is certainly a lot more energetic than it would have been with a less compelling score. The music adds to the charm and fits both the action and the comedic sensibilities of the filmmaking.

The screenplay by Tomoko Kawasaki (Project A-ko, Project A-ko 3: Cinderella Rhapsody) and Yuji Moriyama (Project A-ko, Geobreeders: Breakthrough) provides a good dosage of comedy with the action-packed fun. The screenwriters understand the characters and the universe the Ko girls inhibit. Though the final installment might occasionally seem unfocused compared to the previous three entries (with the emphasis on Miss Ayumi Azuchi sometimes seeming like a distraction from providing more fun with the main cast), the script remains entertaining. A good screenwriting effort (even if the fourth entry falls a little short compared to what came before).

Yuji Moriyama (Project A-ko 2: Plot of the Daitokuji Financial Group, Trigun) and Shigeru Morikawa (Kimagure Orange Road, Nadia - The Secret of Blue Water) direct. Project A-ko 4 – Final is another exciting installment in the film series. The directing is fun and offers a lot more of the action that audiences expect from the film series. The action is an enjoyable element of the entire film series and this fourth installment doesn’t disappoint in that regard, either.

Project A-ko 4 – Final isn’t as good as the previous installments but it still comes pretty close in quality. The final act of Project A-ko 4 – Final makes up for a somewhat-average middle section. The ending is enjoyable and fans will be pleased to go on one more adventure with the Ko girls. Don’t miss it.

Project A-ko 4: Final Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Discotek Media, Project A-ko 4 – Final is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The film has received an excellent high-definition presentation. The film was remastered from the original film negative. Showcasing the breathtaking animation, the release capably preserves the animation. Colors are wonderful on the release. The hand- drawn cell-based animation looks great and the scan shows enormous detail. Though there are some occasional specks on the print, the scan looks great. A worthwhile encode from Discotek Media.

Project A-ko 4: Final Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit) and Japanese LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit) (with English subtitles). The high-resolution 24-bit depth audio sounds crisp, engaging, and revelatory on the release. The score by Kentarō Haneda is beautifully reproduced and the music makes a huge difference during the presentation. The dynamics of the audio are superior with the more immersive bit-depth presentation. The encoding is excellent and the soundtrack and sound design are well preserved on the release. A first-rate audio encode from Discotek Media.

Project A-ko 4: Final Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Blu-ray release comes with a beautiful looking o-card slipcover featuring compelling artwork. The inner art sleeve for the case contains reversible art-work (so that one can display additional art in addition to the main slipcover artwork). A wonderful package design by Discotek Media.

On disc supplements include:

Archival Material:

A-ko 4+1 Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:19)

"Love and Robots" Trailer (SD, 1:38)

Titleless Opening Sequence (HD, 00:21)

Original Opening Logos (SD, 00:33)

Vintage English Credits (HD, 2:56)

Music Videos:

Remaster Music Video (HD, 2:24)

Production Art Galleries:

Key Art includes 18 click-through slides.

Model Sheets includes 43 click-through slides.

Home Video & Merchandise includes 84 click-through slides.

CD Soundtracks includes 47 click-through slides.

Liner Notes:

Trivia and Notes includes 24 click-through slides.

Mischief Gallery includes 28 click-through slides.

Project A-ko 4: Final Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Project A-ko 4 – Final is an entertaining and engaging feature-film in the beloved anime franchise. The fourth installment has incredible animation. The art style is exquisite. The fourth installment of the franchise acts as a conclusion to the film series and fans won't want to miss this concluding act.

The Blu-ray release features an exceptional video presentation (sourced from the original film negative), lossless high-resolution audio encoded in 24-bit depth, and a wonderful assortment of supplemental features. The release is well-rounded in every regard and checks all of the right boxes. Fans of the Project A-ko anime franchise will consider it a must-own release. Highly recommended.