Rick and Morty: The Anime Blu-ray Review

“Rick and Morty: The Anime” arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p AVC-encoded transfer, delivering a strong visual presentation that closely aligns with the show’s unique aesthetic. The animation style diverges somewhat from traditional anime, instead retaining much of the original series' familiar look, but with distinct touches—elongated character designs and visible Japanese brush strokes are notable. Classic anime spaceship design motifs reminiscent of 1990s series like "Irresponsible Captain Tylor" add an additional layer of stylistic fusion.

Visually, the image is generally crisp and well-rendered though some mild banding is present in select scenes. The animation isn’t as highly detailed as in other anime titles, which is more a reflection of stylistic intent rather than encode shortcomings. Black levels and color saturation are solid, with pleasing contrast that supports the show’s bold palette. Overall, while it may not reach the intricate detail levels seen in higher-end anime productions, the Blu-ray presentation is faithful to the series’ offbeat fusion of Western animation sensibilities and Japanese influences.

The audio presentation of the "Rick and Morty: The Anime" Blu-ray features notable distinctions between its two primary tracks. The English dub is delivered in 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio, offering a lossless and clear sonic experience. Dialogue comes through crisply, with strong fidelity and well-balanced sound effects and music. The stereo imaging, while not exceptionally wide, provides adequate spaciousness—most notably in scenes featuring spaceflight or dynamic movement. Ambiance is effectively rendered within the limitations of the stereo mix, though the absence of surround or LFE channels does restrict overall immersion.

In contrast, the original Japanese audio is provided only in a lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 format, without an accompanying lossless option. This is a clear limitation for purists seeking the highest fidelity in the native language track. Additionally, users will encounter subtitles formatted for the deaf and hard of hearing rather than standard translations, resulting in on-screen descriptions of sound effects alongside dialogue. This may prove distracting for viewers primarily interested in dialogue translation. Overall, while the available mixes deliver clean voice reproduction and strong musical cues, the choices in audio encoding and subtitle implementation somewhat restrict the experience, particularly for fans wishing to enjoy the original Japanese track.

The Blu-ray release of "Rick and Morty: The Anime" is notably sparse in its supplemental offerings, with no extras or behind-the-scenes materials provided on the disc itself. Despite this absence, some attention has been given to packaging, featuring a slipcover and an inner print with a visually arresting, hallucinatory design. Fans seeking exclusive interviews, featurettes, commentaries, or production insights will not find them here; the release is focused solely on the main content, leaving collectors and enthusiasts wanting more in terms of bonus material.

Extras included in this disc:

• None

"Rick and Morty: The Anime" attempts to translate the gonzo spirit of the original series into a ten-episode arc helmed by Takashi Sano, building on the foundation of several well-received anime shorts initially released on Adult Swim’s digital platforms. However, this full-length adaptation diverges notably from the sharp, irreverent humor that has defined the franchise. The narrative structure leans heavily into a multiverse framework, resulting in storylines that are simultaneously elaborate and sometimes frustratingly convoluted. The introduction of new characters—particularly the enigmatic Elle—and a focus shift toward Morty and Summer yield some fresh dynamics, but the absence of the brisk comedic edge and satirical depth undercuts the viewing experience.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray features a solid 1080p AVC encode. While the animation style includes touches reminiscent of Japanese brushwork and nods to classic 90s anime, the overall presentation is closer to the established “Rick and Morty” aesthetic, rather than adopting a thoroughly authentic anime look. The disc prioritizes an English dub—without the series’ original voice actors—as the main audio track, while relegating the Japanese audio to a lossy Dolby Digital option with only SDH subtitles. These decisions may disappoint purists or viewers seeking a more traditional anime presentation and soundscape. Additionally, it’s notable that the original web shorts, which launched the anime offshoot, are omitted from the disc entirely—an exclusion that feels like a missed opportunity for contextual completeness.

In sum, despite moments of inventive visual design and some intriguing conceptual threads, "Rick and Morty: The Anime" struggles to recapture the balance between chaos and cleverness that drives its source material. For existing fans, especially those expecting the same razor-sharp wit or those attached to the series’ original voices, this side story may feel uneven and less essential.

“Rick and Morty: The Anime” offers a bold stylistic shift, delivering a fresh visual direction guided by Takashi Sano’s creative leadership. While the series is crafted from the DNA of its namesake, the absence of the sharp, irreverent humor that defines the original is keenly felt. The transition to longer-format storytelling exposes pacing issues and highlights the difficulty of maintaining the show’s signature wit. Furthermore, the replacement of both lead voice actors following Roiland’s departure introduces performances that, while competent, often lack the nuanced mimicry or energy fans have come to expect.

On the technical front, the Blu-ray release is commendably executed. The 1.78:1 AVC-encoded image provides strong detail and color fidelity, showcasing vibrant animation without overt artifacting or banding. Audio is robust, with English DTS-HD MA 5.1 delivering clear dialogue and immersive soundscapes, while the Japanese DD 2.0 track caters to purist anime fans. English SDH subtitles are present and accurate, and Warner Bros. ensures the production meets modern expectations for high-definition home releases.

In summary, while “Rick and Morty: The Anime” stands as an intriguing side project with solid technical presentation, it struggles to replicate the charm and cleverness of its progenitor. Unless you are a dedicated collector or particularly interested in the series’ artistic experiment, this release may be best left as a curiosity—not essential viewing for most fans.