Moon Phase Complete Box Set

Vampire's, dark moody atmosphere, complex story and comedy??? Believe it or not, Moon Phase captures all of those elements and does it successfully. I believe sometimes it's best to throw, metaphorically speaking, darts at a dart board when picking out an anime to watch.

Over the last couple of year Funimation has released a variety of boxes in complete collection form. Some are truly unique designs never to be replicated. Moon Phase is one of those experiments. It's a Thinpak sized box, very sturdy design with the interior filled with individual digi-paks. There are three of them, each hold two discs each. Digi-paks have a spotty track record but the functionality of these is very well done. Also, the guidebooks included with the singles release are inside it's own slip case. Moon Phase complete box set has beautiful artwork and a real design to the release. It's unique and beautiful. If only this same effort could go into every complete series release by Funi.

For you audio fans out there I will say that Moon Phase has interesting music within it. The score is very well done, creating a vibrant and beautifully dark world. However, the choice of the OP and it's subsequent placement within the series can and does get very annoying. I understand the attempt to make the series not so dark and dreary but putting in something of a lighter tone. I just flat out skipped the OP every single episode. The audio as it is, sounds really good in 5.1 on both language tracks especially when the sub-woofer kicked in. As for dub choice, this is a Funimation series so you'll be hearing some familiar voices from Carrie Savage to Sonny Strait. I enjoyed their performances I'm sure you dub fans will too. However, I'm going against the grain and choice the original Japanese language track with subtitles. It felt a little more fresh hearing voices I'm not terribly familiar with and the performances were amazing.

The video quality is not too shabby, but it's nothing remarkable either. Some of the reds and blues seemed washed out a bit. I'm not if it's a product of the year it was created in or one of Funi's video problems it's known for. Did I mention how much I love widescreen anime? Yup, wider is better! I do like the designs and overall gothic style featured in the series. Characteristically, I liked the variety provided from Elfriede to my personal favorite in Artemis (aka Arte).


Now, I normally will not post much about the premise and story. I do feel the need to voice my disappointment with the OVA after episode 25 (the final episode of the story arc). It almost killed my enjoyment of the series on an overall level. It would have been better if I avoided it. It did nothing for the characters, world and story I came to love. I loved how deliciously dark the series became at points, never forgetting the tormenting nature of vampires and those who surround them. From the humor to the unforgettable chemistry to the gothic world created, Moon Phase is a real treat. I give Moon Phase, 5 out of 5 Hazuki kisses!