Zillion: The Complete Series - Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Zillion: The Complete Series - Blu-ray Movie Review

An action-packed science-fiction classic.

Zillion is an action-packed science-fiction adventure. The production comes from Nippon Television Network, Production I.G., Tatsunoko Production, and Victor Entertainment. A classic hand-drawn animated effort, Zillion is produced by Hidehiko Takei (Lupin III: Dead or Alive, Ninjaman Ippei), Hiroshi Iwata (The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Cinderella Express), and Minoru Ohno (Speed Racer X, Magical Fairy Persia). Fans of classic cell-based anime will find it worth discovering.

Champ (Kazuhiko Inoue), JJ (Toshihiko Seki), and Apple (Yuko Mizutani) form an elite squad of fighters known collectively as the White Nuts. Attempting to save the universe from the dangers looming from the alien species – the Noza – the trio work together to fight baddies and to bring resolution to ongoing dangers. Relying on an incredibly lethal weapon known as the Zillion, the warriors wage war as they pursue salvation. Set against the backdrop of 2387, the sci-fi action is an exhilarating thrill ride.

The series focus on the central leads helps provide a sense of balance to the production and its science-fiction underpinnings. The characters are a central component of the story and help Zillion explore other themes related to war. Champ, JJ, and Apple are at the front-and-center of the storytelling universe.

One of the best components of the production is the action sequences. Zillion has well constructed action set-pieces and these sequences imbue the filmmaking with a sense of excitement one doesn't always find in television. The anime finds ways to explore the turmoil and rage of war while providing audiences with thrilling twists that will have audiences engaged. The central emphasis on the Zillion weapon itself – noted as the most dangerous weapon – is important to the story.

The animation elevates the material and makes the experience all the more fruitful. The animation is by Tatsunoko Production (Neon Genesis Evangelion, The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?) and the cell-based, hand-drawn animation has plenty of charm. Under the art direction of Kikuko Tada (The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Casshan), Zillion has some outstanding artistic merits – natural and hypnotic. Audiences will appreciate the art style.

Game on.

The character designs by Chuichi Iguchi (Karura Mau, Urashiman), Hiroyuki Okiura (A Letter to Momo, Jin-Roh – The Wolf Brigade), Kazuchika Kise ( xxxHOLiC, Made in Abyss), Takayuki Goto (Please Save My Earth, Hunter X Hunter), and Yoshio Mizumura (Doteraman, Bakuon!!) provide Zillion with a nice range of character aesthetics. The designs fit the style of the science-fiction series well and manage to provide each distinct character with a memorable aesthetic.

The mecha designs by Ammonite (Robotech II: The Sentinels, The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross), Hiroshi Ogawa (Burn-Up Scramble, Macross 7), Hirotoshi Okura (Showa Aho Zhoshi Akanuke Ichiban!, Tenku Senki Shurato), and Takashi Ono (Zillion: Burning Night, Robotech II: The Sentinels) provide the science-fiction action with the backdrop needed to succeed. The emphasis on the action remains one of the central components to the production. The mecha designs are effective and give Zillion a core aesthetic that fits the storytelling universe.

One element that is sometimes overlooked with classic anime productions is the cinematography. The visual narrative of an anime production is always an important one to consider. The cinematography by Kazuhiro Furubayashi (Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack, Lupin III: The Legend of the Gold of Babylon), Kazunori Hashimoto (Macross 7, Blue Seed), Mitsunobu Yoshida (Ranma ½ , Deltora Quest), Nobuyuki Sugaya (Galaxy Express 999, Cutey Honey), and Toshiaki Morita (Ultraman: The Adventure Begins, Coral Reef Legend: Elfie of the Blue Sea) keeps the series visually inventive and engaging.

The music score composed by Jun Irie (Cybot Robotchi, Kickers) is not one of the more memorable scores but it does fit the action-packed genre well. Even though the score by Irie isn't top-tier, the compositions still help the action sequences to remain central to the production.

Written by Mayori Sekijima (Natsume's Book of Friends, Tenchi in Tokyo), Zillion is an entertaining science-fiction saga. The focus on the intergalactic war between humans and aliens is one which is compelling. Sekijima explores the characters and the world they inhibit in a compelling way.

Under the chief direction of Mizuho Nishikubo (Video Girl Ai, Giovanni's Island), Zillion is a fun old-school anime that fans of the medium will be curious to experience. The filmmaking is inventive and entertaining. Nishikubo gets creative with the production and the action-packed sequences he creates. The series is worth a look.

Zillion: The Complete Series - Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Funimation, Zillion is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The print does have some occasional specks of dirt and isn't in pristine condition. The film print does show some wear and could have benefited from a more thorough restoration effort. Nonetheless, color reproduction looks solid and the print is generally clean (without much in the way of print damage). The encoding is effective on the release.

Zillion: The Complete Series - Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0. the lossless, high-resolution audio sounds less crisp than many modern productions sound. The track is a bit less refined. Nonetheless, dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The track doesn't sound overly harsh or cold – even though it isn't something in the same league as some restorations. Hiss isn't egregious on the release.

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

OVA: Burning Night

Textless Opening Song (HD, 1:37)

Textless Closing Song 1 (HD, 1:08)

Textless Closing Song 2 (HD, 1:08)

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

Zillion is an entertaining science-fiction anime series with nice production merits. The series has some compelling animation and effective character designs. Fans of old-school hand-drawn animation will certainly feel it is worth taking a look. The Blu-ray release features a decent video and audio presentation. The set is light on supplemental features but includes the Burning Night OVA episode. Recommended.