Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon - Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.5

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon - Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

YashaHime Season 1: Part 2 continues the action-packed adventure of the sequel series to the beloved anime franchise InuYasha. The second half of the season picks up the journey with new action-packed adventures. The series brings back InuYasha and a group of new characters to the world fans have come to know and love. The new series is based upon the original work of InuYasha creator Rumiko Takahashi. Produced by Hisakazu Naka, YashaHime Season 1: Part 2 features animation by acclaimed animation studio Sunrise (Cowboy Bebop).

In the first collection, Towa Higurashi (Sara Matsumoto) and Setsuna (Mikako Komatsu) reunited with each other for the first time in many years. Now in the second collection, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha (Azusa Tadokoro) are continuing on their epic mission to slay evil monsters and fight for the future of the world. Meanwhile, the characters also continue on their quest to find the Dream Butterfly.

Can Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha find the butterfly and reach their ultimate goal before it is too late to do so? New demons and dangers await them as the quest brings them closer to the powerful demon Kirinmaru. The path isn’t easy and the risk of death is ever looming. The journey has only just begun.

Fans of the original InuYasha franchise will be pleased to see the fan-favorite anime picking up the pace and returning to the world of the original. The sequel saga finds new ways to explore these characters while bringing audiences new characters to help usher in a new era of the franchise. The new focus involving Towa, Moroha, and Setsuna is impressive and adds some extra elements of fun.

As with the original InuYasha series, the art style remains essential to the success of the program. The animation is top-notch and there is nary a moment that seems to disappoint in this arena. The series animators deliver the goods repeatedly with bright, bold, and vibrant colors against an outstanding backdrop of detailed design work. The efforts certainly help the series to look more colorful and as beautifully animated as one can hope to find with this type of action-oriented series.

None of these artistic achievements would have been possible without the dedication of animation director Yoshihito Hishinuma (InuYasha). Returning to the roots of InuYasha and expanding on the foundation of those creative goals, Hishinuma delivers something sparklingly fresh and revitalized without abandoning the core foundation that made the original such an overwhelming success. Everything from the background art to line art details appears exceptionally detailed and exudes confidence and creativity.

The visual aesthetic of the production is an overwhelming success as well. The cinematography is handled by none other than Shigemi Ogawa (Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, InuYasha). One of the greatest anime cinematographers, Ogawa manages to push the production forwards with outstanding cinematic elements. The series looks organic and beautiful in the best way possible. There is a lot to appreciate about the use of lighting on the production and the manner in which Ogawa handles the artistry of the animation team.

The original score composed by Kaoru Wada (Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight, InuYasha) brings a sense of epic scope and ambition to the production that would not have been possible without such an incredible musical landscape. The original music is profoundly moving: providing the depth and pathos necessary to fit the characters and their emotional journeys. An achievement that will please fans. The score manages to convey both the beauty and the fun of the program.

Under the chief writing of Katsuyuki Sumisawa (Dragon Ball, InuYasha), YashaHime: Princess Half Demon explores the universe of InuYasha and finds new ways to expand on the original. With an interesting creative vibrancy, Sumisawa delivers the goods. The sequel series certainly explores elements that will keep fans of the original intrigued by the new chapter – with new characters providing something exciting to add to the franchise. The return of original characters will please devotees as well.

 YashaHime: Princess Half Demon is a wonderful showcase for how much fun can be had with an action-oriented anime production. Director Teruo Sato (InuYasha, InuYasha: The Final Act) returns to this fold with something that provides the excitement fans have come to expect from the beloved franchise. A successful outing by Sato. The artistic sensibilities of the directing are compelling, distinct, and vibrant. There are a lot of creative elements at play with Sato providing the fun quotient fans expect from such a high- profile series. Outstanding.

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon - Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from VIZ Media, YashaHime: Princess Half Demon: Season 1, Part 2 is presented in the original television aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The presentation quality on the release is exceptional. Colors are vibrant and robust on the release and the encoding is exceptional. This is certainly a wonderful looking release. The animation is crisp and colorful. The effort from VIZ is appreciated.

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon - Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The lossless, high-resolution audio tracks will provide fans with an outstanding sound presentation. The English dub is quite good and sounds remarkably crisp on the release. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The score is well mixed in to the stereo sound. Throughout action scenes, the audio has impressive depth and the sound mixing is a successful component of the experience.

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon - Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 1:

Episode 15 Audio Commentary

Episode 16 Audio Commentary

Disc 2:

Clean Opening & Ending (HD, 8:15)

Art Gallery includes 16 click-through illustrations.

More from VIZ Media (HD, 1:07)

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon - Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

YashaHime: Princess Half Demon returns with the second part of the first season outing. As the sequel spin-off to InuYasha continues, fans of the franchise will be rewarded with more exciting action and thrilling adventure. The sequel certainly delivers the kind of high-octane fun fans want to see. The production continues to explore the world of the series well. The Blu-ray release from VIZ Media features excellent video and audio. The set even includes a few exclusive bonus features. Fans of InuYasha should consider it worthwhile. Highly recommended.