Shaman King Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Shaman King Blu-ray Movie Review

Shaman King is an enormously entertaining anime series adapted from the original manga by Hiroyuki Takei. Executive produced by Keisuke Iwata (Hamtaro, Saiyuki), Toshimichi Ootsuki (Azumanga Daioh, FLCL), and Yutaka Sugiyama (Animal Yokocho, Chō Seimeitai Transformers: Beast Wars Neo), Shaman King explores the world of spirits. Produced by Fukashi Azuma (Blue Dragon, Mon Colle Knights), Katsunori Narumo (Tsugumomo, Ultra Maniac) and Takatoshi Chino (Clockwork Planet, Heroic Age), Shaman King features excellent animation produced by Xebec (Pilot Candidate, Broken Blade). Fans of action-adventure anime with a unique spin will want to take note.

Yoh Asakura (Yuuko Satou) is no ordinary boy. Unlike most boys his age, Yoh has a unique gift – one that some might argue is a curse. Yoh has the ability to see ghosts.

As Yoh hangs out at the local graveyard, Yoh meets and befriends the ghost of the legendary samurai Amidamaru (Katsuyuki Konishi). As Yoh gets to know Amidamaru, the samurai possesses him. Aiding Yoh, the epic journey is only beginning. Yoh becomes a shaman – harnessing the powers of ghosts.

As the adventures of Yoh unfold, Yoh learns of an epic tournament known as the Shaman Fight. The epic fight brings together special beings with Shaman abilities from all around the world. The Shaman gather and battle it out to see who can become the victorious Shaman King! Can Yoh defeat the competition?

The series has a terrific cast of characters. This is part of the reason Shaman King is such a fun series and one that has remained so entertaining all these years following its original release. The saga has a great cast and the central protagonist is at the forefront of the journey. Yoh is a memorable lead character. Embarking on a unique journey as a Shaman who can see spirits, the character is tough and smart. Accompanied by Amidamaru, it is also fun that there is a samurai element to the series and this is something that provides Shaman King with some more compelling character moments.

The production has top notch animation direction and there is plenty to celebrate about the series art style. The art direction by Toshihisa Koyama (Martian Successor Nadesico, Outlaw Star) is colorful and creative. Art director Koyama understood the balance of adventure and intrigue the series needed for the production to be a success.

The art direction is well translated in to the animation style and the team involved with the animation production provided the series with a compelling art style. This is well displayed with the creative style used for the ghosts. Given that this provides a supernatural element to the animation production, it is nice that so much effort went in to the art. The series art style never goes to the extremes of the genre, with spooky horror tones and the like. However, the series does provide a colorful and vibrant style that befits the action-adventure genre while adding in some unique sensibilities for this particular tale.

The character designs by Akio Takami (Steam Detectives, Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox) are another compelling element of the series. The designs by Takami are excellent. The characters are so distinct looking. The series has creative designs and the efforts stand out as something special. A lot of great effort went into the character elements for the production. There is certainly a lot to appreciate here about the work of Takami.

The cinematography by Katsutoshi Hirose (Love Hina, Tales of Eternia) is another strength of the series and its success. The cinematography does a great job of providing a memorable aesthetic capable of showcasing the animation in all of its glory. The cinematographic approach does a good job with highlighting the color blue and the unique aesthetic of the environmental elements. Top notch.

The score composed by Toshiyuki Omori (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Lunar Legend Tsukihime) is another wonderful aspect of Shaman King. Omori is a gifted composer - that is something that is unmistakable. The compositions are creative fun. The music certainly feels appropriate for the genre and provides plenty of energy for the Shaman mayhem.

Written by Katsuhiko Koide (Zoids, Stellvia), Shaman King does a great job adapting the original manga. The manga was one I used to enjoy reading regularly as a youth and it was always terrific fun – and in adapting the manga, the anime series does a great job of bringing the tale to life. The writing is solid – adapting the story and characters in a compelling way.

The entire concept of Shaman King is compelling and the script handles the supernatural component of the story. As a huge fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense, Shaman King felt like a perfect fit to explore a ghostly-tale about those who see ghosts in anime form. The writing certainly handles the material in a fun way.

Directed by Seiji Mizushima (Fullmetal Alchemist, The Slayers Next), Shaman King offers plenty of fun for anime fans. The series has a great concept and director Mizushima has fun exploring it while bringing together fantastic animation and well- rounded production merits. The director explores the series in creative and artistic ways – highlighting the characters and the epic journey of being a Shaman. An excellent effort from Mizushima in adapting the manga.

Shaman King Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Discotek Media, Shaman King is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The series has received a high definition upscale from Discotek Media. The upscale is surprisingly good looking. Given that upscales aren't as impressive looking as native high-definition material, it is nice to see such high-quality results.

Sometimes upscales can be a little bit underwhelming (and this is no surprise given the standard definition source material). It is nice to know that Discotek and other companies utilizing upscales (as necessary) seek to extract as much quality out of the animation and presentation as is possible on home media. This sometimes results in only minimal upgrades in picture-quality, with the texture of the art a little better (and compression looking a little more well-rounded compared to a DVD presentation).

The original source material is limited. Unfortunately, the lack of a native high definition encode is a drawback. However, Discotek did a solid job upscaling the series and the animation still shines on the Blu-ray release. Color reproduction is impressive and there is a nice sense of depth to the animation. A noteworthy upscale.

Shaman King Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The set does not include the English dub option for the entire series as the changes made to the English language version production prevented Discotek from making the collection a dual language release. This kind of production consideration is rare to encounter but it is something that Discotek Media has decided it had to do on a few occasions (the release of Shaman King being one of those rare examples). A separate release containing only the English dubbed presentation is available from Discotek (although the separate English language collection from Discotek utilizes a different video encode as well).

The Japanese language audio sounds crisp and clear on the release. This is an outstanding sounding presentation. Detail and clarity are top-notch on the release. The score is well reproduced. The soundstage is enveloping for a stereo audio mix. Though the track might not be as immersive as a surround sound presentation might have been able to offer to the production, the stereo audio is nonetheless pleasing sounding and is well reproduced with the solid encoding by Discotek Media.

Shaman King Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

English Dub – Uncut – Episodes 1-6 Only

Clean Openings (SD, 3:02)

Clean Endings (SD, 2:25)

Japanese Promos (SD, 00:31)

US Uncut DVD Promo (SD, 00:36)

US TV Version Promo (SD, 00:30)

Video Game Promos (SD, 2:41)

Shaman King Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shaman King is a wonderful and entertaining anime. Exploring the world of Shamans – beings who can see and talk to ghosts – makes the series all the more fun and memorable. The production does a great job adapting the original manga by Hiroyuki Takei. The anime has a great concept. Fans of ghost tales will certainly enjoy the series and appreciate what the action anime has to offer.

The Blu-ray release from Discotek Media provides a high definition upscale of the standard-definition animation. The image is a bit more robust looking compared to a standard DVD. Though the series can't look as impressive as a native high-definition encoding, the presentation is satisfactory when one considers the limitations of the source material.

The release provides the original Japanese language audio (alongside English subtitles). The Japanese language Blu-ray release includes a selection of bonus features as well. Shaman King fans will want to pick up the collection. Recommended.