6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The story takes place in Japan in the early 21st century, in an alternate reality where the Tokugawa Shogunate has remained in power. In this reality, student councils are tasked with oppressing schools. Yagyuu Muneakira is a high school student who rebels against his student council with the help of girls who\'ve had the names of famous samurai heroes passed on to them.
Starring: Aoi Yûki, Rie Kugimiya, Minako Kotobuki, Daisuke Hirakawa, Ami KoshimizuAnime | 100% |
Foreign | 98% |
Action | 38% |
Comedy | 21% |
Romance | 19% |
Erotic | 17% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
It’s not that often that a cursory knowledge of feudal Japan is required to enjoy a typical ecchi outing with more than the usual amount of gratuitous “fan service,” but that’s the case with Samurai Girls. This is one of the coolest looking animes in recent memory, but this is most definitely a case of style over substance, where a series of gorgeous animations decorates an empty and often frivolous storyline built around fairly stereotypical characters. Though the series is set in a sort of alternate universe where its home nation is known as Great Japan, and though the timeframe is resolutely modern day, there are references to the Edo Period liberally sprinkled into the show, notably its reference to the Tokugawa Shogunate, so a little background research can help smooth the way into understanding at least some of what’s going on. That’s the substance side of things, as far as it goes. There is obviously an audience for this sort of entertainment, one probably consisting largely of libidinous younger males who can fantasize about the pulchritudinous babes on pretty much nonstop display throughout Samurai Girls, including copious full frontal nudity. And the overall series is commendably “arty,” with some really appealing designs, including unusually detailed characters, beautifully rendered backgrounds, and some interesting graphic effects sprinkled into the mix. And while those selfsame libidinous young males probably couldn’t care less about Samurai Girls’ sleek look (other than the naked babes, that is), my sense is it’s the look of this series that is going to be its main attraction for those not tending toward salacious salivating at the unclothed female form. Though the series is based on a well regarded light novel franchise by Akira Suzuki, the anime doesn’t have the requisite storyline momentum (at least in its opening episodes) that a lot of adaptations manage to have, and what that leaves is, yep, you guessed it, pulchritudinous babes in various stages of undress. If you’re not puritanical, or indeed if you actually kind of like the ecchi approach toward things, Samurai Girls may not exactly be the most challenging show to ever come down the pike, but it’s certainly one of the more scenic.it’s certainly one of the more scenic.
Samurai Girls arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1 and the results are largely spectacular. This is such a cool looking series that even those without any particular interest in quasi-ecchi offerings may well be tempted to check this out just for the astoundingly well done visuals. Colors are fantastic, beautifully robust and exceedingly well saturated. Line detail is nothing less than phenomenal, and the multi-plane technique which adds a kind of 3D ambience really pops in this high definition presentation. The series is also full of graphical elements, including ink splotches which dot various scenes (and keep us from seeing various naughty bits), and those also look great. In fact some of these episodes utilize a monochromatic black and white look which offers beautifully rich black levels, excellent gray scale and top rate contrast.
Samurai Girls is offered with two lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mixes, one in the original Japanese and the other an English dub. Both of these tracks feature excellent fidelity, with clear and clean dialogue and really good reproduction of the series' nice score. This series no doubt could have benefited from a surround mix, especially with regard to some of its action elements, but what's here is very well done, if obviously very narrow. Dynamic range is excellent and the series has its fair share of LFE, as well as a number of inventive sound effects scattered throughout its episodes.
Samurai Girls may have shot itself in the foot (and/or bosom) in terms of wide audience acceptance by its gratuitous fan service and its quasi-ecchi feel. That's really too bad, because this series is phenomenal from a visual perspective, and it looks absolutely stunning on this new Blu-ray. Prudes and puritans are warned to stay far, far away from Samurai Girls, but if you have a bit more tolerance for naked females and lots of panty shots, there actually is some other scenery to enjoy here, even if the overall storyline never quite catches fire the way it might have. For sheer visual ingenuity alone, Samurai Girls is Recommended.
2013
2011
2009
2010
2008-2009
Limited Edition
2010
Asobi ni Iku yo! / Essentials
2010-2011
IS〈インフィニット・ストラトス〉
2011
2009
Essentials
2011
Anime Classics / フルメタル·パニック!
2002
Anime Classics
2010
Classics
2013
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2011-2012
Essentials
2013-2014
2008
2014
Limited Edition | Combo Pack
2010
2012