Shigurui : Death Frenzy Blu-Ray Box Set

Cute, humorous with a dose of romance. Yeah, you're not going to see any of that in Shigurui. This release arrived literally yesterday and I was getting a little burnt out on playing Dead Space. I had this Funimation Blu-Ray release sitting on coffee table and figured, "this is a good time to try my first anime experience in Blu-Ray." I have a couple BR anime released titles, but Shigurui Death Frenzy screamed to me.

How does the packaging look? That is an excellent question. The box itself harkens back to the hard paper or flimsy days (of the first RahXephon, My-Hime) with box construction. Please note, the Blu-Ray cases are a snug fit in the box. If you plunge your fingers into the sides to get them out you risk hurting the box. The art is very well done and is sharp despite a non-glossy finish. It fits very well with the series and it's gritty, dark nature. What I don't like is the damn blue border that I like to call the Blu-Ray Stripe. I wish companies would use different colors. For example, Akira's Blu-Ray Slipcover is all one color, Freedom Blu-Ray Box Set is one color, etc... The cases and the cover art featured on them is well done and consistent. I would like to have seen different color cases while we're at it too. Nothing major for drawbacks but if your like me it's enough to raise an eyebrow at.

The video quality with a Blu-Ray should be amazing, did Funimation deliver? I say yes, some scenes are a little grainy especially in some darker scenes. However, this appears to be how certain segments and scenes wee created. Your eyes are not playing tricks on you the animation is crisp, clear and amazing. The attention to detail by Madhouse is incredible, insane and a highlight to this series. No complaints what-so-ever. One thing to note is that this is an uber-violent and gruesome series. If you are the slightest bit squiemish be VERY aware that, that attention to detail comment was not an exaggeration. The gore in Shigurui is something Dario Argento - level. If you don't know that name, let's just say this level of gore would put to shame most horror movies of the last 20 years.

Here is where the home theater otaku are going to fall in love with Shigurui Death Frenzy. English is presented in amazing 5.1 and it certainly rocks the speakers and sub-woofer. Unfortunately Japanese audio is in standard 2.0, it's still good enough to enjoy the series and everything in it. It just lacks that depth and extra punch you experience with 5.1. The subtitles and original Japanese audio is amazing. I may get flack for this but I actually enjoyed the English Dub of this series more than the original audio. Please note that what ever your preference is the beauty isn't just in the kill, nor just in animation, it's in the audio too.

I'm starting a new section to these reviews. I still have a no-plot point and spoiler rule. I can't keep away from wanting to talk about the writing of any series though. Shigurui Death Frenzy has wonderfully rich, complex characters and motivations to each of them. You grow to love, loathe and sympathize with some characters. The series starts off a bit like Berserk where you start at present day and the following episode's bring the back story for the remaining 11 episodes. The plot tends to jump around the timeline slightly while going through the back story, at times it can be a little hard to keep everything straight. I think this gives the series re-playability though. For a 12 episodes series it's very well paced and flows naturally. When episode 12 is done, I would bet you'll have the same reaction I did. "Hey...we're not done yet... I want to know the rest of the story, there's gotta be more." Which, unlike Berserk, doesn't entice the feeling of punching a hole through a wall knowing that there's not anymore.

Shigurui: Death Frenzy is deliciously dark, smart and viscerally beautiful. Outside of a couple minor complaints about the packaging Funimation has brought us another gem. I want to say thank you to Funimation for providing this series not just a release but a Blu-Ray release that is affordable and worth every penny. If you like serious anime, uber-violence and a solid story this Frenzy is for you. I'm gonna say, that as of right now, this is my favorite series of 2009. Take your format choice and viewing pleasure between audio options and enjoy the beauty of 5 out 5 frenzied kills!