The Magnificent Kotobuki: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

The Magnificent Kotobuki: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

A CG/traditional hybrid production.

The Magnificent Kotobuki is a high-flying action-anime series. The production was broadcast in Japan on Tokyo MX. Produced by Kensuke Ōtani, Ryōya Arisawa, Shōhei Itō, and Yasuhiro Ebinuma, The Magnificent Kotobuki is a creative and entertaining series. The series features animation production by GEMBA (CG animation) and Wao World (2D animation). Fans of anime series with a hybrid blend of traditional and CG animation should take note.

Kirie (Sayumi Suzushiro) leads with a group of tough and powerful girl pilots who are tasked with maneuvering the skies and bringing cargo to its ultimate destination. Working with an elite girl squad providing protection in the skies, the flight of fancy is one of adventure with the Nakajima Ki-43 fighter ship soaring above the clouds. Yet danger looms at every corner and the stakes are higher than ever before. Can the girls fly to victory or will the team face new challenges via dangerous collisions?

The series is enhanced by a compelling cast of lead characters. Kirie is a strong lead character and she is certainly a focal point to the entire production. The character has a lot of skill and strength: leading the way forward with the “angels” above the skies as the pilots combat against the sky pirates seeking the plentiful goods on the cargo. The journey of the character is something that is enhanced by the solid characterization.

The art direction by Kazuo Ogura (Read or Die, Attack on Titan: The Final Season) is one of the most intriguing aspects of the series. The animation is interesting and compelling (if not always outright effective). The art style could certainly have been more impressive on the series as the CG blend ultimately lacks the organic quality one comes to expect from a well-animated anime series. As ambitious as the production is, the CG hybrid animation style was a bit off-putting at times. Not everyone will appreciate the hybrid art style. On the bright side, the character designs by Shou Sugai handle showcasing the characters well.

The cinematography by Toru Shinozaki is interesting for the ambitious production. Shinozaki handles the CG creative direction on other series and here transitions to the role of cinematographer. The visuals of the series are certainly different than a traditional hand-drawn series. The CG is highlighted by the cinematography and some will find it off-putting. Yet the art is bright, bold, and memorable.

The biggest issue with the CG animation integrated in to the series is the fluidity. The art style is less smooth and the animation sometimes seems “jerky” and not as smooth as traditional animation. It makes the production seem less impressive than it would have with a more refined art style. The animation seems cheap by comparison (in regards to CG, if nothing else).

The score composed by Shiroh Hamaguchi (Final Fantasy: Unlimited, One Piece) is entertaining and energetic. The music certainly lifts the production off the ground with more involving music cues. Absorbing, creative, and listenable, the music aids the storytelling well. Hamaguchi’s score sings.

The series is written by Michiko Yokote (Children of the Whales, Squid Girl). The script is average but decent nonetheless. The storytelling isn’t as engaging as one might hope to find though. The concept for the production works but the scripting could have been even more compelling. Nonetheless, a decent effort from Yokote even if there was room for improvement.

Directed by Tsutomu Mizushima (xxxHOLiC, Girls und Panzer), The Magnificent Kotobuki is a series with ambitious aims. Director Mizushima aims to tackle the CG/traditional animation art style and makes it one of the forefront components of the entire production. Mizushima also handles the sound design. The action scenes are perhaps the most compelling aspect of the directing and fit the narrative well. Mizushima also hits all cylinders with the sound design providing a more expansive experience.

The Magnificent Kotobuki: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, The Magnificent Kotobuki is presented in the original television aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The video presentation on the release is top-notch. Blending the traditional and CG elements of the animation, the video encode capably shows the cinematographic approach and the artistry of the team of animators. The encode handles the action scenes well. Sentai delivered a strong video encode.

The Magnificent Kotobuki: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The lossless, high-resolution audio is encoded in 24 bit depth. The quality audio presentation is a major highlight and is preserves the sound design developed by Tsutomu Mizushima. The stereo sound is surprisingly bold and creative for the front stereo speakers. The release does not provide an English dub. However, the original Japanese language option will please audiences.

The Magnificent Kotobuki: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animations (HD, 18:26)

The Making of The Magnificent Kotobuki – Part 1 (HD, 15:39)

The Making of The Magnificent Kotobuki – Part 2 (HD, 15:21)

Kotobuki Broadcast – Part 1 (HD, 33:43)

Kotobuki Broadcast – Part 2 (HD, 34:47)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Sentai Filmworks: The Price of Smiles (HD, 1:35), Food Wars! The Third Plate (HD, 1:33), The Girl in Twilight (HD, 1:35), and Release the Spyce (HD, 1:33).

The Magnificent Kotobuki: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Magnificent Kotobuki is an ambitious and entertaining anime with some compelling aesthetic elements. The production certainly soars when it comes down to highlighting action. An impressive effort. The direction and sound design by Tsutomu Mizushima is effective. The only undeniable disappointment is the awkward blend of CG and traditional animation. Nonetheless, enthusiasts of the series will find the Blu-ray release impressive with its strong video and audio. A surprisingly solid supplemental package is provided as well and it includes making-of documentaries. Recommended.