Rick and Morty: The Anime Blu-ray Review
Score: 57
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Lacking the series’ signature sharp humor and original voicework, but solid Blu-ray technical specs make it a decent release for collectors.
Disc Release Date
DTS HD-MA
Video: 76
Presented in 1080p AVC, Rick and Morty: The Anime delivers a solid Blu-ray video experience with slight banding and modest detail, adopting a unique animation style that blends familiar series visuals with Japanese brushwork, diverging from traditional anime aesthetics.
Audio: 76
Audio is presented in English DTS-HD MA 2.0 (lossless) and Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (lossy), with clear dialogue and solid fidelity, though the mix lacks surround or LFE; subs are SDH, and English voicework is competent, if less engaging than the original.
Extra: 0
No extras are present on the disc, though packaging includes a slipcover and an inner sleeve with a hallucinatory print.
Show: 36
While 'Rick and Morty: The Anime' offers a 10-episode Blu-ray with crisp 1080p visuals and a distinct, though less traditional, anime style, it disappoints fans by omitting the influential shorts, lacks the series' signature sharp humor, and delivers a confusing, overstuffed narrative.

Video: 76
“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.
Audio: 76
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.
Extras:
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
Show: 36
"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.
Total: 57
“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.
- Read review here
AV Nirvana review by Michael Scott
Video: 80
Maybe not AS good as the series does, but it’s pretty close (I noticed some mild banding and the animation style doesn’t lend itself towards massive amounts of detail)....
Audio: 80
And to make it weirder, the English subtitles are Subs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, not regular ones, so if you choose the Japanese track you have to slog through all the audio descriptions in subtitle...
Extras: 0
...
Movie: 40
Ironically, two of the animated shorts that I mentioned above were actually directed by Sano himself, so they would have been great to tie in, but it looks like a few 5 minute webisodes are a lot easier...
Total: 50
Final Score: Final Score: I’m not sure why this didn’t hit home for me, especially when a couple of the original “anime” shorts that inspired this project were directed by the same man....
- Read review here
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey Kauffman
Video: 80
Audio: 80
While the back cover of this release offers some extremely fine print suggesting a surround track in English (and some naughty person submitted that spec probably based on the cover, which is a "no no"...
Extras: 0
...
Movie: 40
While this was originally produced in Japanese, it's probably worth mentioning that an English dub on this disc does not include any of the voice actors associated with the American series, and there are...
Total: 40
The biggest drawbacks for me were the kind of gobsmacking lack of smart humor as well as some voicework that for me personally pales in comparison to the original actors....
Director: N/A
Actors: Yôhei Tadano, Keisuke Chiba, Akiha Matsui
PlotA brilliant but reckless scientist and his anxious teenage grandson embark on a series of high-concept, dimension-hopping adventures that blend wild sci-fi spectacle with emotional growth. The grandfather, driven by boredom and existential questions, plunges the pair into surreal, often dangerous universes where scientific rules bend and bizarre threats lurk around every corner. Along the way, their oddball family—each with complicated relationships to one another—gets periodically pulled into the chaos, resulting in both comic misunderstandings and moments of genuine connection. Part parody, part homage, their journeys bounce between melancholy introspection and over-the-top cosmic battles, introducing strange creatures, mind-bending technology, and a colorful cast of allies and enemies.
In each episode, odd inventions, alien alliances, and intergalactic conspiracies fuel challenges that force the duo to confront personal flaws and philosophical dilemmas. The duo's journeys are punctuated by surprising twists, intricate metaphysical puzzles, and dark humor rooted in a distinctly anime aesthetic. As recurring adversaries surface and the stakes escalate across reality-spanning conflicts, the bond between the cynical genius and his impressionable grandson is tested in unexpected ways. Overarching mysteries involving the true nature of parallel worlds and the consequences of limitless curiosity gradually intensify, promising increasingly ambitious revelations while grounding the spectacle in themes of redemption, family bonds, and self-discovery.
Writers: N/A
Release Date: 15 Aug 2024
Runtime: N/A
Rating: TV-14
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese, English