Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Tatami Galaxy: Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

A must-see anime masterpiece

The Tatami Galaxy is a must-see anime masterpiece from creative genius Masaaki Yuasa (Ride Your Wave, Lu Over the Wall). The series feels like a perfect blend of fantasy and comedy (in good measure). The series is produced by Noriko Ozaki (Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, Katanagatari) and Fumie Takeuchi (Library War, Suzuki sensei). Full of charm and truly quirky intrigue, The Tatami Galaxy is one of the strangest and most unique anime series I have ever seen.

The protagonist Watashi (Shintarô Asanuma) is a college student at Kyoto University who yearns for a perfect experience: to meet the right friends and find a perfect “raven-haired maiden” along the way. Fantasizing about his college experiences, Watashi narrates the story as he unfolds the series of odd mishaps he has with his friends and (potential) lovers. The story is told through a quirky time travel narrative (of sorts) as he recounts the possible outcomes of his endeavors. A little bit of magic (and many moments of mishaps) occurs along the way.

The art style in The Tatami Galaxy offers audiences some of the most original and inventive animation that I have ever seen in the world of anime. The series sometimes feel like an Adult Swim program (the popular Cartoon Network block of late-night oddities and anime gems) but with great sophistication tossed into the equation. The art is unique and compelling. The style reminds me of traditional water- color paintings mixed with non-traditional experimental art. The visuals are such a essential component of the production that each episode makes a big impression through the use of the art.

Under the creative art direction of Shinichi Uehara (Mai Mai Miracle, Kids on the Slope), the great animation is no doubt a testament to Uehara and his dedication to the project. The animators who worked on the series outdid themselves. There are few anime series (in the history of the medium) that truly seem so distinctive and original. For anyone looking for an anime series that doesn't fit the norm of most productions, The Tatami Galaxy is an example of a experimental anime that pushes the boundaries of the medium.

Paradise.

Another element of the series which mesmerized me was the series music composed by Michiru Oshima (Lost Paradise, Memories of Tomorrow). Combined with the kick-ass opening/ending themes, the series has phenomenal score music that never manages to miss a beat. The entire series seems truly exciting from scene-to-scene with a score that is capable of perfectly highlighting the absurdities of the storyline. The music is pitch-perfect.

The series is written by director Masaaki Yuasa and co-screenwriters Tomihiko Morimi (Penguin Highway, The Eccentric Family) and Makoto Ueda (Summer Time Machine Blues, Go Find a Psychic!) – and each writer for the series brings something cool to the table. The end results of these storytellers combined quirkiness is the genius of The Tatami Galaxy. There's nothing else out there like it.

Masaaki Yuasa is an exceptional filmmaker. The Tatami Galaxy is a masterpiece because of the clear dedication and originality that Yuasa brought to the table. The series doesn't fit any ordinary anime mold. Instead, the production is bold, visionary, and creative. Each episode is like a mini-movie. A experience. The end result is a instant classic that defies expectations and ultimately surpasses them. This is a breathtaking series that explores college life in an original and thought-provoking way. The storyline explodes with creative energy in the first episode and never lets go. A total blast. Fans of FLCL and Cowboy Bebop should take note. There is real magic here.

The Tatami Galaxy: Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Funimation Entertainment, The Tatami Galaxy is presented in 1080i MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation. Though the presentation is not progressive, the video is still pretty commendable and most viewers will not notice too much interlacing drawbacks. Though these elements are apparent from time to time, the video is still quite pleasant and the interlacing isn't too distracting on this series.

The presentation has exceptional color reproduction which provides the animation with the right level of "pop" to make one become absorbed by the eccentric series style and tone. The level of depth to the image is impressive as well. For anyone wondering if the set is a simple upscale job, the results are far more promising: this is a native high-definition presentation which is true to the source.

The Tatami Galaxy: Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 with non-removable English subtitles. There is no English dub option. It is hard to imagine the series even having a dub as the hyper-stylized series is constantly lightning-fast in regards to series narration. An English dub would struggle to keep up with the narration. Even with subtitles, it is hard to keep up with the narration. Even so, the subtitles are top notch and do not feature any distracting spelling or grammatical errors to distract. The lossless audio track is quite effective, too. The track is crisp and clear. Dialogue is easy to understand. The music soundtrack is well implemented in to the hyper sound mix. The overall effort is commendable. A pleasant audio track.

The Tatami Galaxy: Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

OVA (HD, 23:06) is the must-see bonus feature on the set. The OVA features short-form episodes of the series which did not air during the series television run. These special shorts were produced just for the Blu-ray releases in Japan and are just as fun, creative, and worthwhile as the main episodes of the series are. These short form episodes are also subtitled in English.

Even though the shorts are not as expansive as full-length episodes are, the OVA episodes are still quite charming. There is something magical about these shorts. Watch them after the end of the series for an extra dose of the quirky charms of The Tatami Galaxy.

Europe Kikaku's Guide to Kyoto (HD, 19:53)

Promo Videos (HD, 8:40)

Commercials (HD, 00:34)

The Tatami Galaxy: Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Masaaki Yuasa (who recently helmed the terrific Ride Your Wave) is a creative genius. The Tatami Galaxy is mind-blowing. Each episode features breathtaking animation, outstanding music, and a surrealism that is impossible to ignore. One of the best anime series I have ever seen, The Tatami Galaxy is an essential masterpiece that should not go overlooked. Highly recommended.