Tekkonkinkreet Blu-ray Review

Tekkonkinkreet's Blu-ray presentation delivers an absolutely stunning video quality, beamed in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and encoded with 1080P using the MPEG4 AVC system, which ensures that the picture quality remains uncompromised throughout. The high bitrate encoding, averaging 30 Mbps, provides a clarity that breathes life into the hand-drawn animation, making Treasure Town a vivid explosion of colors that are captured with an exceptional depth. The attention to detail is significant, with backgrounds that remain sharp and dynamic, allowing viewers to appreciate the intricate designs and graffiti that adorn the city's walls. The color palette is vast and brilliantly utilized, showcasing a variety of hues that stretch across the entire spectrum without any visible color bleed, ensuring that every frame pops with a vibrancy that is both beautiful and faithful to the film’s whimsical aesthetic.

Contrast levels are expertly handled, offering deep and rich blacks that complement the bright, bloom-free whites, maintaining the film's critical black vs. white symbolism intact. Despite a deliberate absence of true black in certain scenes—a stylistic choice that might distract some—the overall effect adds to the film's unique visual narrative, preserving its dream-like quality while enhancing visibility. This attention to contrast and color dynamics furthers the entrancing experience of the animation, ensuring that characters and environments are rendered with an arresting clarity. The digitally finished film benefits from an absence of physical flaws or artefacts, affirming the transfer's pristine condition.

In essence, Tekkonkinkreet on Blu-ray exemplifies the peak of hand-drawn animation in high definition. From its superbly sharp character line art and meticulously painted backgrounds to its flawless execution of color and contrast, the video transfer captivates and immerses viewers into the imaginative world of Treasure Town. The dedicated effort to maintain the artistic integrity of the film while leveraging the strengths of Blu-ray technology results in a commendable showcase of animation, making it a prime example of how to honor animated masterpieces in the digital age.

The audio presentation of "Tekkonkinkreet" on Blu-Ray offers an immersive sonic experience, spearheaded by a trio of audio tracks: Dolby Digital 5.1 in both Japanese and English, along with a superior lossless PCM 5.1 track in its native Japanese. This setup ensures viewers can engage with the film in both its original linguistic form and a skillfully dubbed English version, accommodating a broad spectrum of preferences. The inclusion of the lossless PCM 5.1 track elevates the auditory experience with a broad dynamic range and detailed soundstage, capturing the essence of Treasure City's volatile ambiance during its bustling and violent sequences. This finesse in audio craftsmanship immerses viewers into the film's vibrant and occasionally perilous world, with the high-fidelity track adeptly matching the on-screen intensity.

On the technical side, the Blu-Ray enhances its audio offering with English SDH captions and a variety of subtitle options including Spanish, Portuguese, and French, catering to a diverse audience. The Japanese PCM track benefits from the intricate scoring by British band Plaid, whose music seamlessly blends into every channel, creating an engulfing audio environment. Dialogue clarity is paramount, with most of it centered but also dynamically moving across channels to follow on-screen action. The surround channels are impressively active, making this one of the livelier mixes seen in Blu-ray formats. The low-frequency effects channel (LFE) contributes significant depth during action sequences and musical interludes, rounding out an astoundingly clear and engaging audio presentation.

Interestingly, despite the audiophile's preference for original language tracks to maintain emotional integrity, the English Dolby Digital 5.1 track emerges as a formidable alternative. Notably well-executed voice acting and satisfactory lip-syncing allow for an engaging viewing experience without the constant attention subtitles demand. This accessibility enables viewers to absorb more visual detail, presenting a strong case for the English version for those not fluent in Japanese. While the Japanese tracks undoubtedly offer an authentic auditory experience, the English dub stands out for its ability to draw viewers deeper into the animated world of "Tekkonkinkreet" without linguistic barriers, making it an exceptional choice for experiencing the film's rich visual and auditory tapestry.

The extras on the "Tekkonkinkreet" Blu-ray present a mixed bag, primarily showcasing the arduous behind-the-scenes efforts through "The Making of Tekkonkinkreet – Director Michael Arias' 300 Day Diary," which, while insightful about the production's challenges, including a near financial collapse, suffers from Arias' awkward on-camera presence. Similarly, "A Conversation with Director Michael Arias and British Rock Duo Plaid" offers an unvarnished look at the film's musical landscape but feels underprepared and lacking in depth. The included filmmaker's commentary, featuring Arias among others, does little to enhance the experience, meandering through topics without much focus on the scenes at hand, rendering it somewhat superfluous especially when considered alongside the "300 Day Diary." Notably, despite promises of high-definition content, the actual extras are presented in standard definition, further diminishing their appeal. However, for enthusiasts craving every possible insight into the film's creation and the music behind it, these supplements may hold some value.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making Of Tekkonkinkreet: A deep dive into the long and strenuous journey of bringing the movie to life through Director Michael Arias' eyes.
• A Conversation with Director Michael Arias and British Rock Duo Plaid: An off-the-cuff discussion on the movie's score with the director and composers.
• Filmmakers Commentary: Insights from Director Michael Arias, writer Anthony Weintraub, and sound designer Mitch Osias that occasionally overlap with content from Arias' diary.
• High Definition Previews: A collection of previews for other Sony Blu-ray releases, including a variety of action and animation titles.

"Tekkonkinkreet" emerges as a seminal piece in the realm of animated films, under the direction of Michael Arias, who holds the distinctive title of being the first non-Japanese director to helm a major anime feature film. Adapted from Taiyō Matsumoto's manga, which Arias became enamored with after moving to Japan in 1991, the film presents a stark yet visually engrossing exploration of the urban landscape of Treasure Town, through the lives of two orphaned brothers, Black and White. The dichotomy between Black's cunning demeanor and White's innocence forms the core of the narrative, encapsulating a deeply intertwined relationship amidst the backdrop of a city teeming with vice. Arias' adaptation stays true to Matsumoto's original work, not only capturing the essence of the story but also translating the unique and simplistic character designs onto the screen.

Set in the visceral environment of Treasure Town, a district riddled with crime and decay, "Tekkonkinkreet" excels in painting a vivid picture of urban entropy while retaining a fantastical element that is both captivating and thought-provoking. The film delves into themes of camaraderie, survival, and existential battles, as Black and White, known collectively as the Cats, navigate through their chaotic world. Their journey is punctuated by a myriad of characters - from indifferent law enforcers to the scheming Yakuza - each adding layers to the rich tapestry that defines Treasure Town. Arias' meticulous attention to detail and his commitment to preserving the manga's essence is evident throughout, making the film a compelling watch.

Despite its complex narrative that some may find confusing at first glance, "Tekkonkinkreet" stands out for its innovative storytelling and distinctive animation style. The film's soundtrack, provided by British band Plaid, complements its visual aesthetics and thematic depth, further enhancing the viewer's experience. Arias' foray into anime filmmaking with "Tekkonkinkreet" not only showcases his deep respect for Japanese manga but also marks a significant contribution to the genre, blending traditional themes with a modern, urban twist. The Blu-ray release brings this vibrant world to life with exceptional clarity, ensuring that audiences can fully immerse themselves in Arias' meticulously crafted urban fantasy.

Tekkonkinkreet emerges on Blu-ray as an enthralling example of animation artistry, blending a rich tapestry of visual and auditory experiences that are bound to captivate fans of the genre and newcomers alike. The release showcases an exemplary picture quality that vividly brings to life the intricate world of its characters, supported by an audio presentation that is nothing short of first class. The Japanese LPCM 5.1 audio track delivers an immersive sound mixing experience, showcasing the film's unique musical compositions and ambient sounds with clarity and depth. However, for those who prefer an English audio track, the Dolby Digital 5.1 option provides a commendable alternative, making the film more accessible without compromising on the immersive audio experience.

Despite the high marks for audiovisual quality, the Blu-ray extras leave something to be desired. Interviews and commentaries, typically a highlight for enthusiasts looking to glean more insight into the creative process, unfortunately fall flat due to lackluster execution and the absence of engaging personalities. Meanwhile, the documentary segment offers a glimpse into the production, but suffers similarly from a lack of vibrant presentation. Such shortcomings notwithstanding, the core appeal of Tekkonkinkreet—its story, character design, and animation style—remains undiminished. Its modern, fable-like narrative intertwined with visually distinct, doodle-like character designs and settings make this release a must-have for anime aficionados.

In conclusion, Tekkonkinkreet on Blu-ray stands as a must-own title for fans of animation, offering a visually stunning and sonically rich experience that showcases the medium's potential for storytelling and artistic expression. While the supplemental content may not meet the expectations set by the main feature, the overall package provides an immersive journey into a uniquely crafted world. This Blu-ray release is indeed a testament to the allure and depth of animated films, deserving a spot in the collection of both seasoned anime enthusiasts and those intrigued by the genre's narrative and aesthetic possibilities.