Ultraman Taro: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Ultraman Taro: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Mill Creek has released a SteelBook packaging variant for 'Ultraman Taro.' The disc and digital content is identical to that found in the wide release (which includes the high quality booklet). See the 'Special Features and Extras' section of the review below for more on the SteelBook's look and feel.

Ultraman Taro: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For a full 1080p Blu-ray video review, please click here.

Ultraman Taro: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a full Blu-ray audio review, please click here.

Ultraman Taro: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This is a nice SteelBook and much in line with that Mill Creek released for Ultra Q, Ultraman, Ultraseven, The Return of Ultraman, and Ultraman Ace. Ultraman Taro appears on the front, from the knees up, facing forward, his right arm at shoulder level and parallel to the ground, his left vertically aligned and hand in a fist to meet his flat right palm. There's a reflectivity to the red costume accent pieces. Behind him is an off-white backdrop with silvery vertical lines behind the character that, around the midpoint, disappear to allow a peak-and-valley streak. At the bottom -- comprising about a quarter of the SteelBook -- are a handful other familiar Ultras, all appearing in a dull gray-red color above a simple landscape. The rear side features the title character firmly to the left, body facing forward, and looking to the right. His left arm is extended and bent upwards at the elbow, the right parallel to the ground at midsection level, forming a fighting stance. The bottom third or so depicts a battle scene with a couple of Kaiju and various flying craft atop and landscape. The same background pattern from the front repeats on the rear. The front and rear panels are smooth but not necessarily fingerprint magnets. The spine features the series' title center in black letters against the same creamy colored background from the front and rear sides. A head-on depiction of Ultraman Taro may be seen at the bottom (albeit cutting off the prominent features on his helmet), directly above Mill Creek and Blu-ray logos. At the top is a red banner inside of which is "Series 6" text in white. One of the coolest points of interest, almost an "Easter egg," is the show's title appearing in Japanese along the side opposite the spine where the set opens.

Inside, the digital copy code floats; there are no tabs to hold it down (the digital code sheet for this did not arrive with a hole in the middle from the hubs that hold the discs, as has been the case with previous Ultraman SteelBooks, but it is severely impacted. The point of wear is right above the code sticker; it would have been impossible to redeem had it been slightly lower and punched through). The six discs are housed three to a side, stacked directly on top of one another on a single, extended hub. The inner print is a two-panel spread that depicts a close-up of Taro's chest.

Ultraman Taro contains no supplements across any of the six discs. The main menu screens on each disc only offer the opportunity to toggle subtitles on and off in addition to selecting any of the disc's episodes, which are vertically oriented. The set does ship with an impressively assembled booklet that includes glossy pages, numerous color photographs, and plenty of text. It begins with introductory commentary on the show's history and production and follows with character breakdowns, detailed episode synopses, key monster explorations, and character and technology guides. Mill Creek has put together a comprehensive series breakdown in a relatively small space. While it's disappointing that there are no video-based extras, this compact handbook is a treasure for veterans and a necessity for newcomers just getting their feet wet in the universe.

That plastic outer slip cover features some baked-on text, including the show's title in black on the front with "Ultraman" text appearing above. Above and to the right is the text "No. 6 of the Ultra Brothers." In the top left corner is a small vertical banner that says "Series Six" in red letters on white background and the Blu-ray logo plus digital in white on red. The rear side includes the usual information, from a UPC to a synopsis, from tech specs to legalese. The spines are transparent and blank.

Ultraman Taro: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mill Creek is doing right by the Ultraman series in SteelBook packaging. Like the SteelBook variants for Ultra Q, Ultraman, Ultraseven, The Return of Ultraman, and Ultraman Ace, this one is particularly nice. The colors are just right and the artwork is attractive inside and out. The red color really works, notably around the SteelBook's edges. This is a must-own SteelBook that is priced more than fairly, even considering the so-so A/V quality and absence of on-disc supplemental content. Recommended.