Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Project A-ko Blu-ray Movie Review

Project A-ko – Perfect Edition includes the action-adventure film that kickstarted the entire film series. The original story is by Katsuhiko Nishijima and Kazumi Shirasaka. Executive produced by Naotaka Yoshida (Deadman Wonderland, Ebiten: Ebisugawa Public High School's Tenmonbu), Project A-ko features stunning hand-drawn animation produced by APPP (Crimson Wolf, Golden Boy). From producer Kazufumi Nomura (Project A-ko 3: Cinderella Rhapsody, Robot Carnival), Project A-ko is one of the best hand-drawn anime films of its era. A must-see work of art for action anime fans.

Eiko "A-ko" Magami (Miki Itō) and Shiko "C-ko" Kotobuki (Michie Tomizawa) are teenage schoolgirls with a lot on their mind and plenty on their plate. A-ko and C-ko are best friends and each morning they go to school together. A-ko is the more easygoing of the two while C-ko is a bit of a ditz. The two make for an energetic pair.

What would life be without all of the A-B-C’s, though? Enter Biko "B-ko" Daitokuji (Emi Shinohara), the wealthiest and most successful of the three. Unlike A-ko and C-ko, B-ko tends to get exactly what she wants. This time around B-ko wants C-ko! 

Yet things are about to spiral out of control when an alien invasion thwarts any school fun. The aliens have arrived and the invasion is underway. The aliens are touching base in Graviton City. Can the three schoolgirls outsmart the aliens? Things might work out, considering A-ko has special powers of her own.

The excitement of Project A-ko wouldn’t be the same without the fantastic cast of characters. The main cast of characters is at the heart of the film and why it is such a wonderful work of art and an engaging piece of entertainment. There is something remarkably charming about these characters – each and every single one of these “ko” girls has a sense of charm and a unique personality. It is hard to even decide on a favorite – each character offering an upbeat sense of adventure.

The character designs by Yuji Moriyama (Agent Aika, All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku) are an incredible part of Project A-ko. The designs for these central characters are first-rate and there is an abundance of creativity imbued in to each of the designs. Moriyama has an impeccable sense of style here and the energy given to these designs helps the filmmaking find the right ingredients for success.

The mecha designs by Kōji Itō (Cybuster, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor) and Shōichi Masuo (The Irresponsible Captain Tylor, Nadia - The Secret of Blue Water) are impressive and add to the film experience, too. The designs certainly are elaborate and well-detailed. The art work looks great.

The animation is without-a-doubt one of the main draws of Project A-ko. The animation style is truly something special. The animation is handled by an incredible team of artists who put their entire being in to the production. The art direction by Shinji Kimura (Blue Exorcist, Blood Blockade Battlefront) is an incredible aspect of the film.

The animation direction by Yuji Moriyama (Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, Macross Plus) is simply stunning – there is no other word for it. The hand-drawn animation is so exquisite it achieves a sense of classic artistry in each and every frame of the animation. The art looks so beautiful and organic, the style creative and fun. Art designer Toshihisa Tojo (Armored Trooper Votoms, Lupin III: Dead or Alive) helped to bring out the best of the production as well.

The cinematography by Takafumi Arai (God Mars, Lupin III: The Pursuit of Harimao's Treasure) is a major component of Project A-ko. The sense of style that is inherit in the animation is well explored through the nice cinematography. The cinematographic style is certainly compelling and helps the colorful animation to shine.

The score composed by Joey Carbone, Richie Zito, and Toru Akasaka is one of the most energetic aspects of Project A-ko. The music sounds fantastic and has a lot of fun energy. The music adds so much to the experience. There is something remarkable about the classic score for Project A-ko and how much it contributes to the action sequences taking flight.

Part of the fun of Project A-ko is the engaging story. The screenplay by Katsuhiko Nishijima (Agent Aika, Project A-ko: Uncivil Wars), Tomoko Kawasaki (Project A-ko 3: Cinderella Rhapsody, Project A-ko 4: Final), and Yuji Moriyama (Project A-ko 4: Final, Exper Zenon) packs a mighty punch by offering a wonderful saga with the Ko girls front-and-center. The script gives the characters plenty of fantastic dialogue. The storytelling is engaging throughout the film.  

Directed by Katsuhiko Nishijima (Agent Aika, Kirameki Project), Project A-ko is one of the most entertaining classic action-adventure anime films. Project A-ko has such an incredible and undeniable sense of style. The filmmaking is exquisite and is far superior to many other action-adventure offerings. The production scale is out-of-this-world. Director Nishijima brings forth great style from the animators. An intense, exciting, and memorable classic, Project A-ko is essential viewing for classic anime fans. A must-see.

Project A-ko Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Discotek Media, Project A-ko is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition. The release includes two video presentation options: 1.78:1 widescreen and 1.33:1 full frame. Either viewing option is fantastic looking and provides an exceptional looking presentation. The film was remastered from the original film negatives. The release marks the first time Project A-ko has been made available in high-definition worldwide. Extensive work was done on the restoration. The scan provides a fantastic looking image and the high bit- rate encoding looks stunning as well. Though the presentation still has a few drawbacks with some slight scratches and dirt on the print, Project A-ko has inarguably never looked better before on home media. Discotek Media went the extra mile here and the results are exemplary for classic anime fans.

Project A-ko Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit) and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit) (with English subtitles). The film benefits from an incredible sound design by Yasunori Honda (Black Lagoon, Dragon Ball Super). The film is incredible sounding in high-resolution lossless audio.

This is one of the best sounding catalog presentations I have heard for a vintage anime production. No doubt, the 24-bit depth encoding has a significant role in this as well. The score sounds remarkable and makes the film that much easier to be drawn in to. A first-rate lossless encoding from Discotek Media.

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

The release comes packaged with an attractive o-card slipcover featuring unique cover art-work. The cover art sleeve underneath features reversible art-work (so you can have unique art from the slip itself).

Feature Commentaries:

Audio Commentary by Animation Director Yuji Moriyama

Audio Commentary by Main Voice Cast – Miki Ito (A-ko), Emi Shinohara (B-ko), and Michie Tomizawa (C-ko)

Archival Material:

Full Film Storyboard to Screen Animatic (HD, 1:23:08)

The Phantom Outtake (SD, 1:30)

Event Special Digest Film (SD, 9:13)

Video Magazine Press Package (SD, 4:11)

Vintage Credit Sequences (SD, 4:59)

Project A-ko Motion Comics (SD, 8:51)

Music Videos (SD, 6:16)

Interviews & Featurettes:

The Music of Project A-ko (HD, 34:07)

Project A-ko Secret File (SD, 29:29)

Behind the Madness – Interview with Yuji Moriyama (SD, 3:46)

The Lost CD-ROM Video Game (HD, 6:51)

Trailers & TV Spots:

Theatrical Teaser (HD, 1:20)

Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:37)

Japanese TV Spots (HD, 1:47)

Saturday Anime TV Spot (HD, 00:42)

Remastered Edition Trailer (SD, 1:30)

"Supernova" Sales Reel (SD, 3:40)

Production Art Galleries:

Keyart and Color Works includes 123 click-through slides.

Model Sheets – Characters includes 119 click-through slides.

Model Sheets – Environments, Vehicles, Mechs, Props, and Items includes 29 click-through slides.

Model Sheets – Prototype Designs includes 40 click-through slides.

Deleted Scene Storyboards includes 34 click-through slides.

Archival Galleries:

Home Video & Audio Releases includes 144 click-through slides.

Original Program Book includes 85 click-through slides.

Promotional Materials includes 46 click-through slides.

Merchandise includes 86 click-through slides.

PC-88 Game includes 30 click-through slides.

Liner Notes:

Trivia and Notes includes 14 click-through slides.

About the Restoration includes 30 click-through slides.

Mischief Gallery includes 44 click-through slides.

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

Project A-ko is an incredible feature-film and one of the most essential classics of anime. The film has an incredible roster of characters and the production merits are astonishing. The hand-drawn animation is fantastic and every frame of the film looks like a work of art that could be displayed in an art gallery. Beautiful and mesmerizing. Project A-ko is full of action, adventure, and fun.

The Blu-ray release features an incredible high-definition presentation sourced from the original film negative. Discotek Media did extensive work for the restoration of Project A-ko. This is an incredible looking presentation and one that will please fans of the film.

The Blu-ray release deserves its "Perfect Edition" moniker as the release has exceptional video quality, outstanding lossless 24-bit high-resolution audio, and an astonishing assortment of extras. The release comes jam-packed with bonus features and the release is well rounded in every regard. Project A-ko earns my highest recommendation.