Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 is the first collection for the first season of the hit anime series. Produced by Hiroyuki Aoi (Domestic Girlfriend, Rent-A-Girlfriend) and Noriyuki Akita (Goblin Slayer, Otaku Elf), Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 features animation production by C2C (Harukana Receive, Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina). An anime series for video-game enthusiasts.

Created by Katarina (the novel) and Ryōsuke Fuji (the manga), Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 is a Shonen action-adventure fantasy. Shangri-La Frontier features theme performances by FZMZ (OP1-2), icy (OP2), CHiCO  (ED1), and ReoNa (ED2). Featuring the voices of Yūma Uchida, Azumi Waki, Makoto Koichi, Rina Hidaka, Sayaka Senbongi, Seiichirō Yamashita, Yōko Hikasa, and Yumiri Hanamori.

Rakurō Hizutome (Yūma Uchida) is obsessed with video games. Rakurō is no ordinary high school student. Unlike most of his peers who play video games (seeking out the bestselling and best reviewed video games), Rakurō likes to seek out the bargain bin dumps of worst reviewed video games – the ones others joking refer to as “trash games” – and is obsessed with playing the worst of the worst. Rakurō is not as interested in the good stuff.

The bad games are much more appealing – including the cheap prices. Rakurō had an especially compelling interest in video games considered as “broken” too – meaning video games ridden with overwhelming glitches and design flaws making funny moments spring to life during gameplay (such a character stuck in a loop of death because of a weak design flaw). These are the types of video games Rakurō lives for.

Even so, Rakurō is clearing through the local video game shop and all of its supply of cheap trash video games. Rakurō has played them all. Bored and not sure what to do, Rakurō decides he has no choice but to actually spring for a video game considered as “god tier” and play a good game for a change.

Thus enters Rakurō’s experience with Shangri-La Frontier and the VR world of the critically-acclaimed and fan-favorite game. Will Shangri-La Frontier change the course of Rakurō’s obsession with trash games? Or will the “god tier” game just add a new page in the book of Rakurō’s love of video games?

Rakurō Hizutome is a compelling lead character for the anime. Rakurō has an incredible passion for video games. The dedication to gaming is something that helps to define Hizutome. This is a clear expression of self for Rakurō Hizutome and video gamers will relate to the character and his own dedication to games – from the “trash games” to the “god tier” games.

The supporting cast of characters includes Vysache (Akio Ōtsuka), Rei Saiga/Psyger-0 (Azumi Waki), Kei Uomi/OiKatzo (Makoto Koichi), Emul (Rina Hidaka), Animalia (Sayaka Senbongi), Orcelott (Seiichirō Yamashita), Towa Amane/Arthur Pencilgon (Yōko Hikasa), and Psyger-100 (Yumiri Hanamori). An impressive supporting cast of characters. The characters add to the fantasy video-game style.

The character designs by Ayumi Kurashima (Megalobox 2: Nomad, Xam'd: Lost Memories) are well-done and add to the aesthetic charms of the series. Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 features solid lead character designs for both the real world and video game settings. The contrast between the two art styles is also compelling in showcasing the real-world character art and video- game avatar art.

Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 features excellent art direction by Asaki Nakamura (My Happy Marriage), Masanori Nishiyama (Baki, Farmagia), and Yūki Nobe. The anime series features chief animation direction by Ayumi Kurashima (Classroom Crisis, Eureka Seven). The art direction is an impressive part of the production.

The cinematography by Hikaru Yamamoku (Attack on Titan, One Piece) and Jun Kubota (Aquarion Logos, Tamayomi: The Baseball Girls) is top-notch. The visual language of the cinematography shines and it makes the animation look even better on the release. The series aesthetic is all the better for it.

The score composed by monaca (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, Nyaruko: Crawling with Love!) is a highlight of the series. The score is a solid one and adds to the action-adventure sequences. A fun and engaging score – adding to the backdrop of the series.

Written by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (Black Clover, How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord), Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 has a fun script. The concept is good and the dialogue is well done. The emphasis on videogaming and specifically the “trash games” element is fun. Gamers will especially appreciate these sly nods. The series also has a decent sense of humor – the comedy elements adding to the series fun. The comedic aspect is a big part of the series and keeps it from being too serious.

Directed by Toshiyuki Kubooka (Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - Memorial Edition), Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 is worth checking out. The anime series has an engaging sense of action- adventure and is sure to appeal to fans of the Shonen anime genre. Director Kubooka enjoys exploring the video game world and bringing the landscape of the game to life. An impressive stylistic approach for the anime and one that is fine-tuned to the world of video gaming.

Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Crunchyroll, Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. An impressive high-definition encode. The video showcases robust colors and vibrancy. The presentation excels with outstanding line art and detail. The crisp visuals are outstanding on the release.

One of the things worth noting about physical media is the superior encoding provided on physical media. Streaming video services often provide lower video bit-rates and a more compressed video presentation. For enthusiasts and home theater aficionados, the encoding differences can be notable.

Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 (with English subtitles). The release highlights the sound direction by Akiko Fujita (Wonder Egg Priority, The Elusive Samurai). The lossless audio sounds crisp and clear on the release. Dialogue is well reproduced. The soundstage is effective and well done. The 5.1 surround sound mix is somewhat more robust as an option compared to the 2.0 stereo option but both will please fans.

Blu-ray provides lossless audio with a higher-resolution bit-depth and higher bitrates. Streaming video services only provide lossy (non-lossless) with more compression – usually in MP3 quality on standard titles. For audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts, physical media offers a distinct advantage.

Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes with a nicely designed o-card slipcover. The slipcover features a compelling visual for the main cover art. The cover art on the slip is different from the key artwork highlighted underneath the slipcover. The main cover-art also features inner-sleeve art on the reverse side.

The package is commendable and it looks nice in hand. If there is one grip that I have with these types of designs, it's that clear cases makes the inner-art visible easier (without having to pull out the cover-art to admire it – something I wish more companies would consider in the future). Clear cases do add a extra quality component to the packaging and it would have been appreciate here.

Mini Anime (HD, 20:44)

SLF Mini – Shangri-La Frontier Theater (HD, 22:51)

Promo Videos (HD, 7:55)

Textless Opening Song (HD, 1:32)

Textless Closing Song (HD, 1:32)

Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 is the beginning of the anime series. Shangri-La Frontier: Season 1, Part 1 features great animation and robust production values. The series is going to appeal to video game fans.

The Blu-ray release offers an impressive high-definition presentation and lossless audio encoding. The release features a nice o-card slipcover on the first print run, too. Fans of the series will want to consider a purchase. Recommended.