On-Gaku: Our Sound Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray of "On-Gaku: Our Sound" offers a thoroughly impressive visual experience through its 1.78:1 aspect ratio and AVC encoded image. The film’s minimalist, hand-drawn and rotoscoped animation is faithfully preserved with crystal-clear detail and no significant compression artifacts, even over its 71-minute runtime. Despite its simple art design, the Blu-ray maintains excellent clarity and delineation, allowing viewers to appreciate the textures and styles used in the animation. Any banding is minimal and not a distraction.

Colors are managed with precision, favoring softer, pastel hues that maintain warmth and saturation throughout. There are moments where more vibrant colors take the stage, such as during community tours and the punk hairstyles of characters, balancing the otherwise minimalist palette. The visual transfer ensures crisp whites and deep blacks are rendered accurately, enhancing the overall aesthetic without any noticeable issues.

In summary, the Blu-ray provides a top-notch technical transfer that excels in presenting the unique visual style of "On-Gaku: Our Sound." While it may not rival the intricate animation of larger studios like Studio Ghibli, it effectively captures and accentuates the independent, crowd-funded character of the film. For fans of minimalist animation wishing for a flawless presentation, this Blu-ray delivers on all fronts, replicating the movie's artistic intent with exceptional fidelity.

The 5.1 Japanese DTS-HD MA audio track on the Blu Ray of "On-Gaku: Our Sound" delivers a remarkable auditory experience that matches the film's minimalist yet engaging video presentation. Dialogue is clear and intelligible, ensuring that viewers can fully grasp the nuances of the character interactions and narrative. The mix is not overly aggressive in terms of directionality or immersion, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and clarity. Nevertheless, the immersive quality of the audio is undeniable, driven primarily by the film's music. The deep, throbbing bass lines foundational to Kobujitsu's music evolve throughout the film, providing a dynamic and balanced sound experience that complements the visual storytelling.

Music underscores the core of this film's audio track, with instrumentation that is sharp and distinct. From rock guitars to pounding folk-percussive elements, the soundstage opens up dynamically as the band's performances progress. The surround channels are utilized effectively to capture background noises and atmospheric elements such as room tones and nature sounds. The audio mix also excels in presenting low-end frequencies, particularly during the heavy rock sequences, creating a palpable sense of depth and presence. The seamless integration of these musical performances into the surround sound field highlights the proficiency of the audio engineering in capturing the essence of "On-Gaku: Our Sound."

Overall, the DTS-HD MA mix maintains the feature’s spare but potent mood. It preserves long, silent pauses and uses careful separation effects to emphasize movement and space within scenes. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are included for accessibility, but no English dub is offered, likely due to the tightly integrated nature of the Japanese musical performances, which would be challenging to replicate authentically. This Blu Ray's audio presentation is exemplary in its fidelity and finesse, making it a memorable aural experience.

The Blu-ray release of "On-Gaku: Our Sound" by GKIDS and Shout Factory is an exemplary package for animation enthusiasts, particularly those interested in the intricate processes behind hand-drawn animation and rotoscoping. Comprehensive and technically detailed, this collection provides an invaluable look into the seven-year production journey. Highlights include an intensive, hour-long making-of segment that delves into the creative and logistical challenges faced by director Kenji Iwaisawa, alongside an array of other engaging extras. Each feature complements the film by exploring various production facets with participation from key contributors such as manga author Hiroyuki Ohashi.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of On-Gaku: Our Sound: Seven-year production overview.
• Our Movie: Behind the Scenes: Insight into pre-production and filming.
• Live Musical Performance: Theater performance of movie songs.
• On-Gaku (Demo): Rough animation sequences.
• Rock Festival Pencil Test: Early animation tests.
• Short Films by Kenji Iwaisawa: Includes four distinct shorts.
• Storyboards Gallery: Collection of early artwork.
• Trailers: U.S. & International promotional material.

On-Gaku: Our Sound is an indie Japanese animated film directed by Kenji Iwaisawa, which took seven years to complete using rotoscoping techniques. It stands out with its unconventional and empathetic approach to storytelling, exploring the profound impact of music on three high school delinquents. This labor of love was animated primarily by hand, resulting in a crude yet warmly evocative visual style, distinct from mainstream Japanese animated films.

Kenji, voiced by Shintarō Sakamoto, is the central character—a tough high-schooler better known for his violent reputation than any musical talent. Alongside his friends Ota and Asakura, Kenji discovers a stolen bass guitar, catalyzing an unexpected journey into music-making. Despite their complete lack of musical experience, the trio's raw and primal sound captures the attention of local folk singer Morita, who encourages them to perform at a local rock festival. This newfound passion pushes Kenji out of his comfort zone and sets off a subtle yet significant transformation.

The film's charm lies in its minimalist animation and the dry humor that permeates throughout. Its leisurely pace allows for a slow but steady progression, offering a slice-of-life glimpse into artistic awakening and personal growth. It manages to pull genuine emotional depth out of seemingly mundane moments while maintaining an understated tone that resists melodrama. On-Gaku's script and character design might lack the polish of higher-budget films, but its earnestness and originality make it an endearing and relatable tale about discovering one's voice through music. The unique visual style and narrative approach offer a refreshing and heartwarming experience for those looking to explore the power of music in an unconventional yet deeply human story.

"On-Gaku: Our Sound" is a captivating blend of heartfelt storytelling and unique animation that offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of three high school boys. Crafted by Kenji Iwaisawa, this film presents its narrative in concise vignettes, each unraveling the transformative journey of Kenji and his friends through their rudimentary foray into music. The story is crafted with a subtle yet impactful charm that spurs genuine emotional engagement without veering into melodrama. The Blu-ray edition from Shout Factory enhances this experience with exemplary visual and audio quality, supplemented by an extensive array of extras that enrich the viewing experience.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation shines with an impressive 1.78:1 AVC aspect ratio and Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio. The crisp image quality and immersive sound design significantly contribute to the film's ambiance, drawing viewers into its uniquely animated world. The inclusion of English and Spanish subtitles ensures accessibility for a broader audience, while the runtime of 71 minutes makes for a concise but fulfilling viewing session. Furthermore, the star-studded voice cast including Shintaro Sakamoto, Ren Komia, and Tomoya Maeno, deliver performances that elevate the film's emotional depth.

In conclusion, "On-Gaku: Our Sound" emerges as one of the most fascinating films of the year, characterized by its warm and endearing storyline, spare yet impactful vibe, and successful melding of minimalist animation with heartfelt adolescent experiences. It strikes a joyous balance between humor and poignancy, making it a highly recommendable watch. The Blu-ray release, bolstered by excellent technical specifications and a wealth of supplementary content, cements "On-Gaku: Our Sound" as an essential addition to any indie anime enthusiast’s collection.