Riding Bean Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Riding Bean Blu-ray Movie Review

Riding Bean is a fantastic and exhilarating Japanese anime OVA production. Created by Kenichi Sonoda, Riding Bean features an impressive storyline by the creator. Riding Bean features animation production by AIC (Amagami SS, Armitage: Dual-Matrix). Executive produced by Junji Fujita (Bubblegum Crisis, Ninja Cadets), Riding Bean is a thrill ride.

Produced by Hiroshi Tazaki (Bubblegum Crisis, Ninja Cadets) and Tōru Miura (Tenchi Forever!: The Movie, Vampire Princess Miyu). Riding Bean is a classic and is something special as far as OVA productions are concerned.   Riding Bean features the voices of Hideyuki Tanaka, Naoko Matsui, and Mami Koyama.

Sometimes people are in desperate need of an expert getaway driver. When one needs a getaway driver, one of the leading drivers is none other than the infamous Bean Bandit (Hideyuki Tanaka). Bean and his gorgeous partner Rally Vincent (Naoko Matsui) work together and bring the pedal to the medal. Sometimes the jobs are dirty, sketchy, or a little bit complicated, but that’s the life of the Bean Bandit.

Before long, the duo find themselves on a new mission to bring back a young girl to her family and estate. Yet things complicate when the duo are framed as being kidnappers and not simply work-for-hire getaway drivers. Can the Bean Bandit and Rally survive the frame job? Rally Vincent is also an ace investigator and it seems the problem might involve Bean’s criminal nemesis Semmerling (Mami Koyama). The epic journey unfolds.

The characters are fantastic. Bean Bandit is an exceptional lead protagonist for Riding Bean. The central character of the series, Riding Bean is a unique driver and actioner. The character has a great sense of unexpected charm. Rally Vincent is a similarly fantastic character as the partner to Bean Bandit. Rally manages to evoke a cool sense of suave sophistication as an investigator.

The character designs by Kenichi Sonoda (Bubblegum Crisis, Gunsmith Cats) are top-notch and add a lot to the production. Sonoda is a gifted character designer and provides plenty of wonder to the anime series. There is something perfect about these old-school character designs – retro and perfect. An incredible accomplishment.

The mecha designs by Kenichi Sonoda, Kinji Yoshimoto, L. Lime, Satoshi Urushihara, and Yoshihisa Fujita are wonderful. The mecha designs are one of the greatest strengths of the production. The designs are creative and bold. The aesthetic works wonders for the action filmmaking.

The production of Riding Bean features a lot of fantastic aesthetic elements. Riding Bean showcases top-notch art direction by Hiroaki Satō (Yoroshiku Mechadock, Genesis Climber Mospeada). The animation direction by Atsushi Okuda (Armitage: Dual-Matrix, Bubblegum Crisis), Masahiro Tanaka (Bubblegum Crisis, Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II: The Movie), and Osamu Kamijō (Fairy Princess Minky Momo, Mermaid Melody: Pichi Pichi Pitch) is something special to behold and the animators are wonderful. The animation team put together a top-notch film and every element of the art style provides a sense of cinematic wonder that is astonishing to behold.

The cinematography by Kazuhiro Konishi (All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku, Tenchi Muyo!) is beautiful and is an essential part of the filmmaking. The cinematography highlights the animation and its gritty visual beauty in spades. The aesthetic is something special and Konishi is an incredible artist as the cinematographer. The OVA manages to evoke a classic style.

The score composed by David Garfield is well-done. The score for Riding Bean is a compelling part of the production. The music works well for the action scenes in particular.

Directed by Yasuo Hasegawa (The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, Captain Future), Riding Bean is a remarkable anime classic. The OVA is special in so many ways. Hasegawa also highlights the storyboards by Kenichi Sonoda (Gunsmith Cats, Comic Gunbuster), Yasunori Ide (Girls Beyond the Wasteland, Omishi Magical Theater Risky Safety), and Yasuo Hasegawa (Mrs. Pepperpot, Megazone 23 Part II) well. Riding Bean creates magic in spades. A must-see gem of classic anime.

Riding Bean Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by AnimEigo, Riding Bean is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The high-definition transfer impresses throughout. The old-school hand-drawn animation looks incredible on the release. The lush and engaging native high-definition scan provides a robust and filmic presentation. Outstanding and well-encoded by AnimEigo.

Riding Bean Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English uncompressed PCM 2.0 and Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 (with English subtitles). The release capably presents the sound direction by Noriyoshi Matsuura (Bubblegum Crisis, Kimagure Orange Road). The Japanese language audio presentation is presented with the upmost quality 24-bit high-resolution audio encoding.

On the flipside, the English dub option on this release is provided in 16-bit depth. Both options provide a pleasing option but the Japanese language version should be the go-to option for enthusiasts who want to experience the highest quality audio presentation. The lossless audio for the Japanese track is simply put: superb. The audio is remarkably engaging and crystal clear. The soundstage is fantastic and this is certainly a worthwhile release.

Riding Bean Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Kenichi Sonoda Interview (HD, 12:50)

Blu-ray Trailer (HD, 1:04)

Japanese DVD Trailer (SD, 1:15)

Japanese DVD Trailer (English Remaster) (HD, 1:21)

Art Gallery includes 117 slides of click-through artwork.

Also available from MediaOCD (HD, 5:39)

Riding Bean Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Riding Bean is an essential action classic. The filmmaking is superb and the production values are outstanding. A superb OVA with exquisite hand drawn animation.

The Blu-ray release provides an exceptional high-definition presentation and lossless audio presentation. The release also includes a selection of bonus features – including an interview with Kenichi Sonoda. Riding Bean is well worth owning. Highly recommended.