Young Black Jack: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Young Black Jack: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Young Black Jack is a medical-drama thriller exploring the terrain of the medical world. Based on a concept by Osamu Tezuka. From a story by Yoshiaki Tabata and illustrations of Yū-Go Ōkuma, the series features animation by Tezuka Productions (Black Jack, How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord Omega). The series was first broadcast in Japan on BS-TBS, Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Sun TV, and Tokyo Broadcasting System. Produced by Jun Fukuda (Cat Planet Cuties, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure), Junichiro Tanaka (The Demon Girl Next Door, The Quintessential Quintuplets), Mai Ichikawa, Makoto Satō (Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto, Princess Resurrection), Shintarō Hashimoto (Digimon Ghost Game, Tōsōchū: The Great Mission), Shunichi Uemura (Date A Live IV, Shōnen Maid), Yasuhiro Takano (The Quintessential Quintuplets, Shoot! Goal to the Future), and Yu Igawa, Young Black Jack features vocal performances by a cast including Yuichiro Umehara, Shizuka Itō, Koji Yusa, Junichi Suwabe, and Mamoru Miyano.

Kuroo Hazama (Yuichiro Umehara) is trying to restart his career as a medical doctor but he is haunted by his own shadowy past. Known as a brilliant and cutting-edge medical doctor under the name Black Jack, Kuroo pushes forward despite only having established himself to date as a medical student. Despite a tumultuous start, Kuroo is extremely gifted and is capable of handling surgical procedures many older peers aren’t capable of handing themselves.

Alongside his allies and friends Maiko Okamoto (Shizuka Itō) and Yabu (Koji Yusa), Black Jack does whatever he can to pursue his dreams as a surgeon – even challenging the notion of who he is. Black Jack enters a world of surgical procedures involving illegal operations, dangerous transplants, and surrounded by the pitfalls of organized crime. Can Black Jack become the best surgeon of all while serving as a kind of vigilante surgeon to those who need him?

The character exploration of Black Jack is one of the interesting elements of the series. Exploring the terrain of pushing forward to being a successful surgeon and everything that goes along with that territory, the series certainly has a character-element. The character of Black Jack is pushed to his limits and the series explores this as an idea. The character art-work is impressive and showcases the noteworthy character designs by Miyuki Katayama (Black Jack 21, Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte) and Nana Miura. The character designs feel true to the style of Osamu Tezuka (which will appeal to Tezuka fans).

The animation is one of the best qualities of the production. The series has a vibrant and colorful aesthetic juxtaposed against the dark arenas of the storytelling. The art direction by Masato Shibata (Black Jack, My Sweet Tyrant) and Minoru Nishida (Jungle Emperor Leo, Princess Arete) is successful at showcasing the series style. The art is also ushered in with chief animation direction by Miyuki Katayama (Magic-kyun! Renaissance, Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions) and Nana Miura (Appare-Ranman!, Sirius the Jaeger). The animators have fun with the world of the series and building the art style for the production – the medical element being showcased well by the animation team. The animators do an especially good job of highlighting the details in the character animation – from the art done for the costuming to the hairstyle and facial expressions on the characters – these elements add something to the series production.

The cinematography by Kazumasa Someya (Matoi the Sacred Slayer, Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online) is a highlight and the visual style helps to showcase the crisp animation and the efforts of the animation team. Someya is a talented cinematographer and the efforts here help to enhance the series. The style certainly stands out and makes a decent impression.

The score composed by Daisuke Ikeda (Golgo 13, Saiyuki Reload), Hirohito Furui, and Kensuke Akiyama is effective at enhancing the production. The score by Ikeda provides a solid backdrop to the drama of the series and the medical element in the production. Ikeda provides a balance of character themes alongside dramatic score elements to enhance the series and its central style.

Written by Ryousuke Takahashi (Kiko Senki Dragonar, Fang of the Sun Dougram), Young Black Jack is a decent anime series with some compelling elements in the medical-drama realm. While not a perfect anime series, Takahashi has fun with the story and the characters. Fans of medical dramas within the world of anime may find some entertaining aspects to the story.

Directed by Mitsuko Kase (Glass Maiden, Tiger & Bunny 2), Young Black Jack provides some invigorated drama for medical-drama aficionados and it does so while providing a stylish vibe for the production. The anime certainly feels a little inspired and has some compelling design aspects, certainly helped through by director Kase. While not a total home run, Young Black Jack might be worth a look.

Young Black Jack: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Sentai Filmworks, Young Black Jack is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The series has an impressive high-definition presentation. The animation looks crisp and colorful on the release. The medical-drama element of the series is showcased through the animation style and the encoding capably provides a solid presentation of these elements. Sentai Filmworks offers a solid bit-rate presentation. Enthusiasts wanting to eek out the absolute best video quality possible will be pleased to know that Blu-ray provides a superior presentation to streaming video services as these platforms only provide video with a more compressed bit-rate. Comparatively, Blu-ray offers higher bit-rates and this typically yields superior picture-quality. The higher bit-rate yields better results for perfectionists who want to see every ounce of clarity possible in the image. For someone who considers Young Black Jack one of their all time favorites, that's an absolute essential ingredient to the release that shouldn't go overlooked.

Young Black Jack: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The release does not include an English dubbed option. The release sounds crisp and clear overall. An engaging soundstage for a stereo audio presentation. Dialogue is easy to understand. The score presentation is well implemented into the soundstage. The sound direction by Toshiki Kameyama (And Yet the Town Moves, Baka and Test - Summon the Beasts) is well reproduced on the release. Streaming video services only provide lossy (non-lossless) audio quality and so for audiophiles seeking to have the absolute best audio quality obtainable, the Blu-ray option provides the superior option. This remains a wonderful and essential feature of the Blu-ray disc format. Lossless audio is always preferable to lossy audio and that is something that matters to audiophiles.

Young Black Jack: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Unfortunately, the supplemental package on Young Black Jack is somewhat sparse. The release could have benefited from a more in- depth supplemental package, including audio commentaries, cast & crew interviews, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and other making-of supplements. Even some art galleries or other similar inclusions would have helped to round out the package and sweeten the deal. The release also could have benefited from an o-card slipcover but the release unfortunately doesn't include a slip. On disc supplements include:

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animations (HD, 4:36)

Young Black Jack: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Young Black Jack is a decent medical-drama thriller for anime fans. The series comes from a concept by Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy). The animation is one of the finer points of the production and there are some nice visuals. The series also includes a worthwhile score by composer Daisuke Ikeda (Golgo 13).

 The Blu-ray release provides a solid high-definition presentation and lossless audio. The one downside to the release is the lack of a more extensive supplemental package (which could have helped to round out an otherwise impressive package). Fans of the series may still wish to consider a purchase. Others may wish to consider a rental first.