AoD Review: Samurai 7 Complete Box Set

[Chris Beveridge]

[float:left] [image]http://www.animeondvd.com/images/boxart/samuraisevencomplete.jpg[/image] [/float] Review

Released By: FUNimation Entertainment, Ltd.
MSRP: $99.98
Running time: 650 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Resolution: 480i/p (mixed/unknown)
Encoded With: MPEG-2
Release Date: 03/27/2007
Review Date: 04/17/2007
Date Announced: 12/15/2006
Region: 1 - North America
Reviewed By: Chris Beveridge

In Summary:
Samurai 7 was a series that looked intriguing when it first started but for some reason I didn't jump into it, rather letting someone else handle it. Taking the show in its whole form I'm glad to that I did that. We watched the seven volumes over the course of about five days, the last night of which we went through the last three volumes. The build-up takes a bit during the first disc or two but then it moves at a very good pace and flows beautifully. FUNimation has done a fantastic job with this show and its overall quality shines, from video to packaging. This priced down collection doesn't have everything that the singles has but they went above and beyond the norm and have put out a top tier release. Highly recommended.

[Talyn]

This might be the way I go for getting this show after I burned the episodes from IFC. I still want official R1 discs eventually, so a box set is on my mind... Though if I can I would still jump for the LE singles, but that is out of the price range for me...

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

I was impressed with this set myself. I did not expect Funimation to include the beautiful insert booklets with the complete collection, yet they did. Good job, Funi!

[Damo]

Impressive series in the end, again i'm ona simalar wavlength to Chris the show started out as pretty cookie-cutter fair, while they introduced the main-cast samurai, and you could spot them a mile off as they were distictly better designed than the rest of the background characters, I mean look at this guy from vol2 and his animated movemnt was awful too. But as the show progressed it got better and better all round.

Once past vol3 I plumed down and bought the rest in one big go and marathond the lot too.

[karen0586]

I really, really want to see this show. It'll probably be the next collection I get from the next Funi sale at TRSI. Although, I wouldn't mind seeing something about it first, a little preview wouldn't hurt :D . Loved the review Chris, and hopefully I'll agree with it when I finally see the series.

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

Originally Posted by Damo

I mean look at this guy from vol2 and his animated movemnt was awful too.

That episode in general had "poor animation". I'm beginning to wonder if it was not partially due to budgetary constraints and partially due to a style choice. They introduce a samurai character in that episode that's fairly easy-going/enjoying a care-free life. The animation style of this episode seems to suit this care-free spirit.

[darkhunter]

Funimation still releasing set in digipak. So disappointed.

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

::sighs::

Some people would complain that the sky wasn't green. If you then made the sky green, they'd complain because it wasn't the proper shade. If you then made it the proper shade, they'd complain about the speed at which the process was completed, etc.

In other words, you can never make all of the people happy all of the time. Funimation released a 7-disc collector's set soon after releasing volume 7, they didn't reauthor the discs to remove extras, and they included extra materials that normally are not included with collections of this nature. Take the blessing for what it's worth.

[Azumangaman]

This is one of my favourite series of all time. Check out various reccomendation threads for my thoughts.

I spent more than 100 bucks on this series (well with gift cards not really at all) and it was totally worth it to me.

[Leon_Belmont]

Originally Posted by darkhunter

Funimation still releasing set in digipak. So disappointed.

Yeah, well the prices on Ebay have been driven down for the singles to the same level too as a result, so you still win.

And personally, I feel the same. I hate digipaks. But you can go buy the singles, slimpak them (tight as hell fit though), and boom, you have your small but not digi "collection" version.