6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 1.5 | |
Overall | 1.5 |
Anime | 100% |
Foreign | 94% |
Erotic | 32% |
Action | 23% |
Comic book | 22% |
Martial arts | 13% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Japanese: Dolby TrueHD 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (2 BDs, 2 DVDs)
DVD copy
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 1.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 1.5 |
If someone were to craft a Venn Diagram detailing the intersection of those interested in such singing competition shows as American Idol and wrestling fare like that promulgated by such organizations as the WWE, would there be many, or indeed any, individuals within the overlap of the circles? Evidently someone thinks so, for the mostly ridiculous Wanna Be the Strongest in the World deals with such an unlikely mash up. Now there’s a certain irony to this “combo platter,” for both elements offer patently theatrical “competitions” where at least some elements appear to have been rather elaborately planned, despite protestations to the contrary which insist that everything is unfolding “naturally” and with no backstage manipulation. Some curmudgeons (ahem) may liken the melismatic squeals “singers” emit with predictable regularity on the singing competition shows to the screams of agony that wrestlers proffer while they’re in the ring, but other than these tangential connections, there’s frankly not much knitting singing and wrestling together. Luckily (?), Wanna Be the Strongest in the World doesn’t worry about such trivialities, and is instead content to saturate the viewer with some of the most ubiquitous fan service in recent memory. Those who couldn’t care less about such niceties as character and/or plot, and who are happy to simply luxuriate in endless crotch and boob shots may indeed find enough in Wanna Be the Strongest in the World to warrant checking it out. Everyone else might be better served by meditating on the image of a wannabe superstar belting out “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic whilst being pummeled by John Cena or Seth Rollins—but even that painful image may not be enough of a suitable “replacement” for some of the idiocy on display in this largely forgettable anime.
Wanna Be the Strongest in the World is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. The anime tends to exploit visual clichés like contrast boosted sequences which tend to push highlights and add a gauzy layer of softness to the image, as can be seen in several of the screencaptures accompanying this review. When delivering a "normal" image, things are nicely crisp looking, with good, solid and precise line detail and a very appealing palette (see screenshot 1). The overall look of this series is a bit soft, even putting aside intentional tweaking, something that may surprise some, especially considering the anime's relatively recent provenance (it aired in 2013). Character designs, while not especially innovative, are appealing and easily differentiate the characters (in fact, the designs do a better job of differentiating than any actual writing in this show). There are some minor issues with banding in the very lightest gradients, something that tends to show up in the scenes with pushed highlights, as might be expected.
Wanna Be the Strongest in the World features an English dub in Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and the original Japanese language track in Dolby TrueHD 2.0. The 5.1 mix significantly opens up the soundstage in both the musical elements as well as the wrestling scenes, with good, immersive placement of effects, not to mention the unbearable caterwauling of whoever is being "owned" in the ring. Dialogue (such as it is) is presented very cleanly and clearly. Fidelity is excellent and dynamic range is very wide on the 5.1 track, somewhat less so on the 2.0 track.
Disc One:
I am way outside of any Venn Diagram detailing the intersection of interests including American Idol type singing competitions and WWE extravaganzas, and furthermore as a middle aged guy with nearly grown kids and a long marriage, I'm not exactly the right demographic for such blatant fan service, either. All of that said, my hunch is even the most rabid anime fan is going to struggle to find much to enjoy in Wanna Be the Strongest in the World. For those who do like the show, technical merits are generally strong, and FUNimation has tried to do something a little different with their typically raucous commentaries, which may add a little allure to the package.
2013
S.A.V.E.
2013
Essentials
2013
(Still not reliable for this title)
2013
Asobi ni Iku yo! / Essentials
2010-2011
Limited Edition
2013
2010-2011
2015
Limited Edition
2014
Classics
2015-2016
2010-2011
2006
餓狼伝説 -THE MOTION PICTURE-
1994
1991
1991
1993
1992
1992
Essentials / Hip Whip Girl: Keijo!!!!!! / 競女!!!!!!!!
2016
Essentials
2011
2021
1994-1995
2008-2009