DVD
REVIEW: DEATH NOTE BOX SET 2
07/10/09
Nominated as one of the
best manga in the 2006 American Anime Awards, Death Note
comes to its conclusion in Shonen Jump Death Note Volume 2,
and there is just one thing I have to say: This is what
Anime series should be all about. I can't do nothing but
complement the actors, animators, writers, director, and all
the staff behind this series. Death note is with out a doubt
a series that must be seen by any anime fan, who enjoys
action, excitement, drama, and even some comedy. Volume two
as its predecessor is a great set that must be in every
fan’s shelf next to Volume One. It goes with out saying that
if you have not seen the first volume, you should, or at
least watch the Summary: Death note Relight: Vision of a God
since the story will make more sense, and would be more
enjoyable.
In Volume Two the series does not stop surprising the
viewers with all the twists it takes . Each of the 17
episodes is full with surprises that changes the course of
the story by adding new questions and possibilities, and it
even dares to do something that I have never seen in any
other anime series in the episode “Silence.” which is the
best episode of the series along with “New World.” The new
characters, are also as appealing as the previous ones, the
story behind each other intensify and enhance the main story
even more, and their characteristic behaviors also influence
and describe them perfectly, specially Mello which in my
opinion deserves more credit of what it was given. As for
the old characters Light and L steal the show in their
phenomenal battle of intellect and ingenuity, as in the
first season I end up rooting for both of them indifferent
occasions. Technically speaking volume two looks great, all
the characters look greater and brighter than the TV
version. The series is more story and dialogue than action
for that reason the sound is an important issue in this DVD,
and it delivers perfectly each dialogue is clear and the
subtitles are as accurate as possible, and when fast action
is required the animation works flawlessly.
For lovers of special features I have to say that this set
might have mixing reactions, one thing is for sure, it is
lengthy, it has over 2 hours of content, however I found
some of them unnecessary or boring, each DVD has an extra
feature menu; in it there is about a 15 minutes interview
with the voice actors (English Version) of the series where
they give their opinion and experiences of the series. Each
DVD has an interview of characters that were relevant in
such DVD. Each DVD also has a Production Art section with
different sketches (usually around 10 ) of characters of the
series, and an audio commentary of a key episode. And the
tenth Disk, which is the Bonus disk , has the same thing but
with the Japanese actors, also there is an interview with
the Director and the character Designer and more art
Gallery. Also the set is beautifully design the 5 Disk are
packed in a fine looking case that looks like a death note
in which the rules of how to use it are written in it and
the faces of the main character as a background.
In my opinion This is one of the smartest series I ever seen
and as producer Toshio Nakatani said “it is a controversial
and a philosophical battle, as well as a great entertainment
piece.” The anime version is as accurate to the manga, that
the few changes could be easily unnoticeable, also I enjoy
that these series was not extended just for the sake of
merchandising it, however the only drawback I see in the
animated series is that the ending is not the same as the
manga’s last issue, however it is good enough. I recommend
this series to all anime lovers who enjoy more the drama of
the good story than meaningless action, also I have to warn
you that this is not the average cartoon since it deals with
a lot of suggestive material and topics like death I would
not recommend playing this series to little kids.
VIDEO:
Widescreen Version 16x9
AUDIO:
English Japanese
stereo
English Subtitles
SPECIAL FEATURES:
As I said it before Each
DVD(6-9) has its own set of special Features which include
interviews to the voice actors, original openings, concept
art and a audio commentary of a key episode in the DVD, the
bonus has almost the same but with the Japanese actors, and
the director of the series. I Personally find it boring.
Behind the Scenes
with the Japanese Actors: Join hosts Aya Hirano and
Haruka Kuda as they interview the different actors and
Director Tetsuro Araki. The interviews are very friendly and
sometimes they try to make it funny, however I found it more
silly than funny. (23:25)
Original Japanese
Deathnote Iterstitials: Join hosts Aya Hirano and
Haruka Kuda as they gave you the Death Note News which were
shown in japan before or during the episodes. (25:02)
Interview With
Animation Director and Character Designer: A more
Series interview with Tetsuru Araki and Character Designer
Masaru Kitau where they give their inside and what they were
aiming for as they develop the series (7:49)
Conversation With
Japanese Cast and Crew: A more Serious interview
with the Cast and crew where they share their opinions and
insides of the series(17:01)
Art Gallery:
Over two hundred pictures of the different characters,
settings and props used in the series
RATING BREAK DOWN:
| FILM REVIEW |
 |
|
VIDEO |
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|
AUDIO |
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| BONUS
FEATURES |
 |
Review
By Milo
milo@smartcine.com
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