6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Anime | 100% |
Foreign | 95% |
Fantasy | 22% |
Action | 10% |
Adventure | 1% |
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 (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, there are some overly sincere flatterers at work in the entertainment industry. No matter what the medium—film, television, music, even art—when something succeeds, a torrent of also rans quickly appears that often mirrors major aspects of the original piece. Television may be the most visible medium to be afflicted by this tendency, due perhaps to the immense need for “product” to stock the virtual shelves of 24/7 broadcast cycles, and also due at least partially to the fact that, back in the days of the broadcast networks’ dominance anyway, there wasn’t anything else to watch on the boob tube than what ABC, CBS and NBC deigned fit to provide to the viewer. The family comedies and westerns of the 1950s were all largely interchangeable, and many—like the westerns all shot on the Warner backlot—even had a visual similarity. Little crazes also broke out occasionally, like the mid-sixties’ success of Bewitched that soon fostered I Dream of Jeannie, or the “rural” comedies that took over CBS during this same period. But there may be no more repetitive genre within the already sometimes stultifying world of television than anime. Even the most ardent anime fans will probably admit—maybe under duress— that this genre has an almost insane number of tropes that various shows tend to utilize. Whether it’s post-apocalyptic dystopia or mecha or a tsundere offering up her best snark to some hapless male, anime tends to traffic in types, categories and general structures that on one level provide some comfort in the familiar while at the same time tending to become monotonous when not handled effectively or creatively enough. It’s hard to know where to begin with some of the recycled elements that show up in The Familiar of Zero, an appealing enough if often pretty middling entry that is culled from a series of light novels by Yamaguchi Noboru. With a quasi-medieval setting that may recall shows like Spice and Wolf: Season One, passing references to pseudo-European countries that may remind others of entries like Strike Witches: Season 1, and a bickering relationship between a magically endowed raven haired girl and her hapless mortal male “assistant” that is more than a bit reminiscent of Shakugan no Shana: Season 1, there’s certainly no dearth of baseline material in this series. While it ambles along with a general air of affability, there may simply be too much of the “familiar” in this Familiar of Zero to ever make it stand out from the pack.
The Familiar of Zero is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Sentai Filmworks with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. This older series was produced before native HD became the standard for video, and therefore the visual appearance here is, like the series itself, kind of middling. While this doesn't show the worst side of upscaling, like stairstepping on line detail, colors aren't especially vivid and the whole series just lacks sharpness and pop. Contrast isn't especially strong, and many scenes seem to look like they have a milky white overlay covering them. There is also noticeable banding in fine gradients, especially during fades. When coupled with a resolutely traditional animation style, The Familiar of Zero is "okay" looking, but not much more.
The Familiar of Zero features Japanese and English language versions delivered via DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Aside from the voice work, the mixes here are largely identical. Both tracks offer good fidelity which reproduces the easy to hear dialogue cleanly and clearly, along with the occasional sound effect (especially when Louise's magic backfires) and underscore. There is no damage to report.
The Familiar of Zero isn't the worst anime combining elements from lots of other projects, and taken on its own terms, it's sweet enough. But there's nothing here that diehard fans won't have already seen in scores of other properties, often presented in a more engaging style than in this particular outing. The Familiar of Zero ends up being an agreeable enough time killer, but rarely anything else. The technical merits here are okay if not stellar, so fans of the series will probably be generally pleased with if not blown away by its high definition presentation.
(Still not reliable for this title)
2008
Season 2
2007
2012
2022
ノーゲーム・ノーライフ / Nōgēmu Nōraifu
2014
さくら荘のペットな彼女 / Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo
2012-2013
2015
2017
境界の彼方 / Kyoukai no Kanata
2013
アカメが斬る! / Akame ga Kiru!
2014
2013
ハウルの動く城 / Hauru no Ugoku Shiro
2004
2012-2013
メアリと魔女の花 / Meari to majo no hana
2017
ソウルイーター
2008-2009
バケモノの子 / Bakemono no ko
2015
Essentials
2014
海獣の子供 / Kaijū no Kodomo
2019
2012-2013
2013