Tokyo ESP: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Tokyo ESP: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Tokyo ESP is a science-fiction action epic. The series also blends together elements of comedy into the spectacular sci-fi spectacle. Created by Hajime Segawa, Tokyo ESP features animation production by Xebec (Elemental Gelade, Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs).

Tokyo ESP features theme performances by Faylan (opening) and Yousei Teikoku (ending). Executive produced by Takeshi Yasuda (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), Tokyo ESP is aimed at genre fans. Produced by Atsushi Itou (Mother of the Goddess' Dormitory, Nichijou - My Ordinary Life), Tokyo ESP features voice-performances by Ibuki Kido and Keisuke Kōmoto.

Rinka Urushiba (Ibuki Kido) might have a meager income and a ordinary job with no means to advance further but she does excel as a high- schooler with huge ambitions – working her part-time gig to help support her struggling dad and hoping to become a big success in the future. Life turns from simple ordinariness to the mysterious when a magical penguin and fish appear as if out of nowhere.

The mysterious fish fly through her body and Rinka finds herself transported – naked – back to her apartment. Now Rinka has the gift of passing through objects and her new powers are unlike anything she has ever encountered before. Can Rinka use her new superpowers to be the hero the city needs?

The series features compelling character designs. The character designs by Masaaki Takiyama (Nyaruko: Crawling with Love!, Fate/Extra Last Encore) are well-done. The designs certainly fit the lead characters and help aid the sci-fi style aesthetic.

The animation is a highlight of the production. Tokyo ESP features art direction by Ryōka Kinoshita (Ascendance of a Bookworm, Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory) and chief animation direction by Masaaki Takiyama (Nyaruko: Crawling with Love!, Fate/Extra Last Encore). The animators did an impressive job of bringing the stylized world of the series to life artistically. The style showcases impressive animation and a modern aesthetic.

The cinematography by Tomoyuki Nakata (Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox, Kyo no Gononi) is vibrant, colorful, and engaging. The cinematography highlights both the dark and light elements of the series aesthetic. The cinematographer understood how to best approach the sci-fi material.

The score composed by Evan Call (Bodacious Space Pirates The Movie: Abyss of Hyperspace, Midnight Occult Civil Servants) is a good backdrop to the action and spectacle. The score fits the otherworldly animation. The music helps propel the action forward.

Written by Hideyuki Kurata (Magical Project S, Samurai Flamenco), Tokyo ESP has a decent script with some solid elements. The concept is decent and the characters play a nice role in the saga. Fans of action and sci-fi may consider it worthwhile.

Directed by Shigehito Takayanagi (Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat, Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond), Tokyo ESP isn’t a perfect anime but it does have some good elements at play going for it – and the production is well done in several respects. Director Takayanagi has fun with the sci-fi elements. Worth a look.

Tokyo ESP: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Funimation (now Crunchyroll), Tokyo ESP is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The presentation is crisp and colorful on the release. The animation is vibrant looking and the quality background animation and line art is well reproduced. The visuals are sharp and pleasing with the presentation. A good encode on the release.

Tokyo ESP: The Complete Series 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 sound direction by Yota Tsuruoka (Cat Planet Cuties, Dance in the Vampire Bund) is well featured and reproduced on the release. The audio is impressively crisp and clear during the presentation. Dialogue is well reproduced. The score is wonderfully reproduced. The English dub benefits by having a somewhat more expansive sounding surround sound option but purists will still wish to opt for the authentic Japanese 2.0 audio on the release.

Tokyo ESP: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 1:

Episode 2 Audio Commentary

Episode 5 Audio Commentary

Disc 2:

DVD/BD Spots (HD, 00:34)

Commercial (HD, 00:17)

Textless Opening Song "Tokyo Zero Hearts" (HD, 1:32)

Textless Closing Song "Kyuusei Apyupoc" (HD, 1:32)

Textless Closing Song "Lasting Memories" (HD, 1:31)

U.S. Trailer (HD, 00:49)

Trailers: Tokyo Ghoul (HD, 2:02), Noein (HD, 1:13), Terror in Resonance (HD, 2:03), Ghost in the Shell (HD, 1:29), Psycho-Pass (HD, 1:37), A Certain Scientific Railgun S (HD, 1:15), Lord Marksman and Vanadis (HD, 1:30), Riddle Story of Devil (SD, 1:01)

Tokyo ESP: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Tokyo ESP may be worth checking out. The series has a fun concept and compelling animation. The dark sci-fi element is something that some will appreciate about the series. The animation on Tokyo ESP is compelling. A nice Blu-ray presentation with high-definition video and lossless audio. The release includes a small selection of extras, too.