Weathering with You Blu-ray Review
天気の子
Score: 88
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
A visually stunning and emotionally rich anime, 'Weathering With You' boasts flawless animation, excellent audio, high production values, and extensive extras; must-own for fans.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 92
Weathering With You's Blu-ray presentation is visually stunning with a flawlessly encoded 1080p MPEG-4 AVC transfer in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The vivid colors, fine detail, and integration of hand-drawn and CGI animation create an immersive experience free from banding or compression artifacts.
Audio: 85
Both English and Japanese audio tracks in 5.1 DTS-HD MA provide an immersive, dynamic, and compelling soundstage for 'Weathering With You,' featuring RADWIMPS' score that effectively utilizes surround sounds and nuanced effects, making the auditory experience top-notch and crystal clear.
Extra: 83
The Blu-ray edition of 'Weathering with You' is a treasure trove for fans, packed with insightful interviews, comprehensive featurettes, and an in-depth exploration of Makoto Shinkai's filmography, enhanced beautifully with English subtitled Japanese bonus content and an array of international and Japanese trailers and TV spots.
Movie: 90
Makoto Shinkai's 'Weathering with You' delivers a visually stunning, emotionally rich cinematic experience, blending fantasy, drama, and romance seamlessly. The Blu-ray release accentuates its exquisite animation, intricate storytelling, and a moving score by RADWIMPS, making it a must-own for anime aficionados.
Video: 92
The Blu-ray presentation of "Weathering with You" is nothing short of spectacular. The 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition transfer, presented in the original 1.78:1 widescreen theatrical aspect ratio, showcases the film’s remarkable clarity and detail. The animation brilliantly integrates hand-drawn elements with occasional 3-D CGI, resulting in an immersive visual experience. Vivid saturation across a spectrum of colors – from deep reds and blues to pastel pinks – brings the world of the screenplay to life, while maintaining flawless black levels and contrast. Fine details are impeccably rendered, with no visible banding, crush, or digital artifacts. The use of high bit-rate encoding ensures a top-notch viewing experience, free from compression issues or other common woes.
The production quality is unparalleled, benefiting from Makoto Shinkai’s clout following the success of "Your Name" and contributions from former Studio Ghibli animators. Despite the predominantly rainy setting, the film is vibrant and never feels gloomy; the moments when sunlight bursts through are particularly breathtaking, enhancing reflections and gleaming surfaces in Tokyo. Even product placements within background details show meticulous attention to realism. The character designs are somewhat conventional but integrate seamlessly, particularly when familiar faces from "Your Name" appear. With a nearly flawless digital transfer emphasizing a bold color palette and perfect contrast, this Blu-ray sets a high bar for visual precision. The encode effectively renders intricate details without introducing chroma noise or halos.
Overall, the Blu-ray release of "Weathering with You" stands out as an outstanding achievement. The video presentation delivers unmatched clarity and fluid animation, offering viewers an engaging and visually sumptuous experience that vividly brings Makoto Shinkai’s intricately crafted world to life. This release will likely leave viewers highly anticipating a future 4K UHD release featuring HDR enhancements for an even more immersive experience.
Audio: 85
Shout Factory presents a stellar audio experience for "Weathering With You" on Blu Ray, offering dual language 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio tracks in both English and the original Japanese. Each track is meticulously crafted, offering an equivalent immersive experience irrespective of the language selected. The enveloping soundstage is populated with subtle yet impactful sound effects, from the pervasive theme of falling rain to the intricately detailed Tokyo city ambiance. The auditory landscape gains further depth through the evocative scores by Japanese rock band RADWIMPS, which enhance dramatic moments and integrate seamlessly into the broader audio mix. Dialogue remains crystal clear and balanced, ensuring no scene is compromised by uneven audio levels.
Both the English and Japanese tracks deliver a powerful audio presentation. The production values of the English dub are notably high, featuring prominent actors like Lee Pace and Alison Brie who bring their characters to life with compelling performances. Robust use of the surrounds for ambient effects, such as rainfall and urban noises, adds to the film's immersive quality. The low-frequency effects, while mostly supportive, provide dynamic bursts of energy during key moments, like gunshots and lightning strikes. Optional subtitles, including English SDH and direct Japanese translations, enhance accessibility and offer flexibility for viewers. Additionally, song lyrics by RADWIMPS are translated within the subtitles for a more holistic experience.
In conclusion, this audio presentation is meticulously assembled, promising an engaging and immersive auditory journey through Shinkai’s vivid world. The combination of nuanced sound effects, a well-balanced mix, and powerful scoring makes it a definitive home viewing experience that audiophiles and general audiences alike will deeply appreciate.
Extras: 83
GKIDS and Shout Factory have put together an impressive array of extras for the Blu-ray edition of "Weathering with You," making it a must-own for fans and aficionados of Makoto Shinkai's work. The extras provide deep insights into the film’s production, from casting and animation challenges to behind-the-scenes footage featuring voice actors and Japanese rock band RADWIMPS. The interviews and featurettes are rich with information, covering Shinkai's entire filmography and offering a sneak peek into the movie's extensive three-year production process. The packaging is also noteworthy, available in a regular edition, a Steelbook version, and a forthcoming Collector’s Edition with exclusive bonus content.
Extras included in this disc:
- Interview with Director Makoto Shinkai: Insightful comments from Shinkai on various production aspects.
- Talk Show: Makoto Shinkai and Yumiko Udo: A friendly, in-depth discussion with the director.
- Weather Front Featurette: Hosted by voice actress Nana Mori, featuring behind-the-scenes segments.
- Exploring Makoto Shinkai's Filmography: Covers each major anime project by Shinkai.
- Theatrical Trailers & TV Spots: A series of trailers and spots from both international and Japanese releases.
Movie: 90
Makoto Shinkai's Weathering With You is a remarkable cinematic journey that has captivated audiences globally since its release. The film, building on the success of Shinkai's previous works like Your Name, blends a touching love story with elements of whimsical fantasy and dark drama, all set against a rain-soaked Tokyo backdrop. High school student Hodoka Morishima's odyssey from a small town to Tokyo sets the stage for an exploration of youthful ambition, isolation, and unexpected magic. As Hodoka struggles to find his footing in the bustling metropolis, he encounters Hina Amano, a girl with the uncanny ability to control the weather. This extraordinary gift offers hope but comes with significant consequences, compelling viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between personal desires and larger, uncontrollable forces.
The film's visual mastery is undeniable, with Shinkai's signature animation style elevating each scene to exquisite levels of detail and beauty. The art direction by Hiroshi Takiguchi and cinematography by Ryosuke Tsuda create a visually intoxicating experience, where every frame is meticulously crafted to serve the narrative. The ever-changing Tokyo skyline, drenched in persistent rain, serves as both a character and a setting, encapsulating the film’s emotional and thematic depth. Complementing the visuals is RADWIMPS' evocative music score, which seamlessly interlaces with the storyline, enhancing both tender moments and thrilling sequences.
While some elements echo Shinkai's earlier works, Weathering With You stands on its own with well-developed characters and a coherent, albeit occasionally dramatic, plot. Hodoka and Hina's dynamic effectively anchors the film, making their chemistry both relatable and poignant. Despite minor narrative imperfections, the film’s blend of romance, fantasy, and drama resonates strongly with both anime fans and general audiences. Weathering With You underscores Makoto Shinkai's talent for creating immersive, emotionally-driven stories that linger long after the credits roll.
Total: 88
Makoto Shinkai's "Weathering With You" emerges as a cinematic marvel that adeptly blends emotional depth with stunning visual artistry. Starring Kotaro Daigo, Nana Mori, and Shun Oguri, this film is an intricate narrative that navigates both bitter and sweet moments, allowing darkness to ebb away to make room for joy and wonder. Technically, the Blu-ray boasts an impressive aspect ratio of 1.78:1 AVC and audio offerings in both English and Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1. Subtitles are available in English SDH, English, Spanish, and French, catering to a wide audience.
The film's animation is nothing short of spectacular, capturing the dynamic ambiance of rain-soaked Tokyo streets with vivid detail. The high-definition video transfer ensures every drop of water is rendered with crystal clarity, elevating the overall viewing experience. Complemented by a flawless audio track, this Blu-ray immerses viewers in an atmospheric soundscape that enhances the emotional resonance of the narrative. Additionally, the release is replete with a substantial array of extras, providing further insights into Shinkai's creative process and the team's remarkable craftsmanship.
In conclusion, Makoto Shinkai is a director whose works demand attention, and "Weathering With You" is arguably his finest achievement to date. This film offers an exhilarating blend of melancholic beauty and life-affirming hope, presented with peerless animation and sound design. A 4K limited collector’s edition from Shout Factory is on the horizon, but this Blu-ray edition is a benchmark in quality. It is highly recommended and a must-own for any anime aficionado.
AV Nirvana review by Michael ScottRead review here
Video: 100
Fine details for the animated characters are magnificent, as there is nary a line that is jagged, or sign of haloing or other digital artifacts....
Audio: 100
The surrounds are wildly active with the sounds of falling rain (rain is a predominant theme throughout) as well as the uplifting pop rock score, and the LFE channel is always active, even if it’s usually...
Extras: 80
• Interview with Director Makoto Shinkai • Talk Show: Makoto Shinkai and Yumiko Udo • "Weather Front" Featurette • Exploring Makato Shinkai's filmography • Theatrical Trailers & TV Spots...
Movie: 100
Needless to say, the story is absolute perfection, as Makoto deftly weaves in love, pain, loss, drama, and pure fantasy together so seamlessly that it’s hard to see where one ends and the other begins....
Total: 90
The film manages to be both bitter and sweet, with the darkness making room for the joy that is to come, and the visual treat that is the film’s animation will leave you in awe....
Blu-ray.com review by Neil LumbardRead review here
Video: 100
The encode is top-notch with a high bit-rate encode and there are no issues with regards to compression artifacts and other such woes....
Audio: 100
The sound-stage on either audio track will leave viewers quite impressed: the audio track is immersive, dynamic, and compelling....
Extras: 80
Interview with Director Makoto Shinkai (HD, 11:14) Talk Show: Makoto Shinkai and Yumiko Udo (HD, 1:10:02) "Weather Front" Featurette (HD, 24:08)...
Movie: 100
The art work is so intricate and well thought out that every scene seems to have a unique purpose in the course of the storytelling which unfolds from moment to moment....
Total: 90
The Blu-ray release feature top-notch video-audio and there are plenty of extras to keep fans entertained....
DoBlu review by Christopher ZabelRead review here
Video: 100
Backgrounds are loaded with realistic detail, down to the noticeable product placement often used throughout certain scenes....
Audio: 80
Optional English subs in a yellow font are also offered for the Japanese pop songs’ lyrics, separately from the normal English subs....
Extras: 100
Exploring Makoto Shinkai’s Filmography (13:00 in HD) – Introducing each project with a block of text, this featurette briefly covers each major anime project made by Shinkai in chronological order....
Movie: 80
What’s not to like about beautifully expressive animation and a romantic fantasy adventure tailored for its teen protagonists, made in the director’s same successful mold as Your Name?...
Total: 90
Director Makoto Shinkai delivers another compelling teen fantasy romance and adventure in the mold of Your Name, though the impact is lessened this second time around....
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Actors: Kotaro Daigo, Nana Mori, Tsubasa Honda
PlotA high school boy runs away to Tokyo, finding himself broke and isolated in the incessantly rainy city. Seeking shelter and employment, he stumbles upon a small, struggling publisher of an occult magazine, who takes him on as a live-in assistant. As the rain pours down without end, the boy's desire for a purpose and a brighter future become almost as palpable as the city's wish for a clear sky.
During his escapades in Tokyo, the boy encounters a bright and strong-willed girl with an enigmatic ability: she can summon the sun with a prayer, temporarily dissipating the rain and bringing relief to the waterlogged city. Fascinated by her power, he joins her in capitalizing on this unique talent. Together, they embark on a business venture, offering weather-changing services to a variety of clients. As their bond deepens, they unearth the weight and the consequences that accompany the miracle of sunshine amid the unending downpour.
Writers: Makoto Shinkai
Release Date: 17 Jan 2020
Runtime: 112 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: Japan, China
Language: Japanese