Higashi no Eden Gekijôban II: Paradise Lost Blu-ray Review

"Eden of the East: Paradise Lost" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The presentation is clean, precise, and features robust, well-saturated colors along with exceptional line detail. A peculiar design choice where several characters have a grey smudge on their noses is noticeable but does not detract significantly from the overall appealing visual design and character details. Backgrounds are meticulously crafted, consistent with previous entries in the saga, enhancing the film's believability.

This transfer notably surpasses its predecessors, delivering superior visual quality. Despite a pronounced diffusion effect, the detail and texture in CG elements remain robust. Integration of CG elements such as vehicles still feels awkward due to their weightlessness, a production issue highlighted by the high-definition format. Colors are solid and free from banding, except for intentional color grade shifts in specific objects like railings. Artifacting is minimal, with only occasional imperfections visible. Some random jaggy lines do appear, but they are less distracting compared to other anime releases.

In summary, "Eden of the East: Paradise Lost" on Blu-ray delivers a high-quality visual experience that outperforms preceding releases. The meticulous attention to detail and excellent color saturation create an engaging and immersive viewing experience, making it a standout in the "Eden of the East" series.

The audio presentation of "Higashi no Eden Gekijôban II: Paradise Lost" on Blu-ray is exceptional, with dual lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 tracks available in both the original Japanese and a high-quality English dub. Both tracks deliver notable fidelity, dynamic surround activity, and robust LFE, ensuring an engaging auditory experience. Purists will appreciate the authenticity of the Japanese version while the English dub presents a commendable translation with superior voice work. The sound design excels in imbuing cityscapes with an immersive atmosphere, augmented by impactful effects such as planes landing and the rumbling Juiz trucks, providing bass enthusiasts with delightfully deep frequencies. Dialogue remains clear and precise, seamlessly integrated with the underscore to satisfy audiophiles across the board.

Compared to its predecessor "The King of Eden," this release shows significant improvement. The localization remains top-notch, and though movement effects are somewhat less frequent, rear ambience is noticeably enhanced, particularly in the final act. This increased rear channel activity effectively envelops viewers, simulating the proximity to the characters in various situations. The bass response, while generally still subdued, benefits from pronounced rumbles attributable to the large trucks featured in the film. Throughout, dialogue maintains a clean priority with zero distortion, contributing to a highly polished and well-balanced audio experience. In essence, this is a solid audio track, whether one opts for the native Japanese or the English dub.

The Blu-ray release of "Higashi no Eden Gekijôban II: Paradise Lost" offers a compelling collection of extras that provide deep insights into the film and its franchise. The U.S. Cast Commentary with ADR Director Mike McFarland and the voice actors adds rich layers of understanding about their characters and production experiences, though it can feel repetitive. The Visual Commentary on the Eden System with Director Kamiyama Interview is a standout, blending a fact track with insightful notes from Kamiyama, even if the rapid-fire pop-ups necessitate a quick use of the pause button. Additionally, there's a collection of promotional materials that are brief yet engaging.

Extras included in this disc:

• U.S. Cast Commentary: ADR Director Mike McFarland interviews the voice actors.
• Visual Commentary on the Eden System with Director Kamiyama Interview: Informative text pop-ups and director's insights.
• Movie 2 Preview: Trailer for the final film.
• TV Spot: Short commercial for the film.
• Eden of the East Series Trailer: Promotional trailer for the series.
• Eden of the East: King of Eden Trailer: Promotional trailer for the first movie.
• Eden of the East: Paradise Lost Trailer: Promotional trailer for the second movie.
• Trailers for Other FUNimation Releases: Additional trailers for other titles.

"Eden of the East: Paradise Lost" positions itself as a fitting, though not entirely satisfying, conclusion to the intricately woven Eden of the East franchise. Picking up directly from "The King of Eden," it continues the journey of Takizawa and Saki as they return to Tokyo. The story begins with a surreal, technologically-charged nightmare reflecting on a Japan steered by overpowering modernity. This film delves deeper into Takizawa's enigmatic past, aiming to uncover the nuances that led to him being selected as one of the Seleção. While this shift to character development is intriguing, it might disappoint viewers expecting more of the political intrigue and high-stakes maneuvering characteristic of earlier installments.

Despite the engrossing focus on Takizawa, "Paradise Lost" struggles with pacing and coherency, revealing its rushed narrative. Long-time followers of the series who have kept up with its complex plot might find some resolutions unsatisfactory. Political and terrorist subplots momentarily play second fiddle, sometimes failing to deliver the tension and urgency expected from a series that has persisted on near-apocalyptic stakes. The film concludes the Seleção game with notable reveals around key characters like Mr. Outside and Number XII, yet it leaves many questions unanswered. The post-credits scene tries to offer some closure, hinting at possibilities for future continuations.

Ultimately, what holds "Paradise Lost" together is the character dynamics and Takizawa's relentless quest for self-discovery supported by Saki. It successfully delivers on some fronts by emphasizing personal growth and exploring friendships among the Eden of the East team. Disappointing elements aside, this installment provides critical plot revelations and captures intriguing moments of Seleção versus Seleção battles, significant enough to entertain dedicated fans. However, its finale and storyline resolution stumble somewhat short of the series' high expectations—landing somewhere between fulfilling an average curiosity and eliciting yearning for more cinematic endeavors in the Eden of the East universe.

"Eden of the East: Paradise Lost" attempts to resolve the storyline initiated in the TV series and "King of Eden," but it doesn't entirely succeed in matching the convoluted and intricate plotting that captivated audiences initially. The focus shifts unexpectedly towards Takizawa's parentage and personal dilemmas, somewhat sidelining the high-stakes Seleção game that formed the backbone of the earlier narratives. This shift results in a film that feels more like a side note rather than a climactic conclusion. Nevertheless, the film offers engaging character dynamics between Takizawa and Saki, complemented by intriguing new side characters.

Critics note that "Paradise Lost" requires familiarity with prior entries to fully appreciate the developments presented, making it less accessible for newcomers looking for a jumping-on point. However, it fares better than its predecessor, "The King of Eden," in terms of narrative cohesion and overall presentation. The Blu-ray edition stands out for its exceptional audio-visual quality, delivering sharp visuals and immersive sound, which elevates the viewing experience. Additionally, it boasts some of the best extras seen on any FUNimation Blu-ray release, adding significant value for collectors and fans.

In conclusion, while "Eden of the East: Paradise Lost" may not serve as the most triumphant wrap-up to the beloved series, it still offers enough to keep devoted fans engaged. Its strengths lie in character interactions and supplementary content, rather than a fulfilling resolution of the core plot's complexities. Despite some narrative shortcomings, the remarkable Blu-ray presentation makes it a recommended addition to any "Eden of the East" enthusiast's collection.