The Anime on Blu-Ray User Review Project

[Jim Purcell]

So over the last couple years it's been feeling more and more like Blu-Ray.com hasn't been spending as many resources on reviewing anime on blu-ray like they used to. Sure most of the major releases like Ghibli or higher profile releases from Funimation still get reviews, but it seems like a lot of things are falling through the cracks. The great thing about blu-Ray.com is that it's a wonderful resource to make major purchases and even just to find out what's been announced as a new release. And it's understandable that anime, an already niche genre in a library of niche genres, has a tendency to not get the main review focus. Buts kind of concerning when it's been several weeks since the release of what should be notable high profile releases like Ghost in the Shell The New Movie, or Lupin the Third Jigen's Gravestone and they don't yet have official Blu-Ray.com reviews. I don't know if this is due to lack of review copies or review staff who care about anime, but it's a bit concerning.

So my proposal is, maybe collectively we should do something about this. Presumidly those of us frequenting this forum on a regular basis have some general knowledge about anime on blu-rays, and probably can put together an informed opinion about it. So what I was thinking is, we can generate a list of anime on blu-ray with no official review yet, then we can pick the ones we'd like to review under user reviews. So there is at least something there for people looking for details on a particular release.

This would be a pretty loose project, a rough rule of thumb would be to stick to the standard review format of blu-Ray.com. Broken down by Movie, Video, Audio, Extras, and Overall. I'll be working to build up a comprehensive list of unreviewed anime releases over the next few days, from that list folk can pick the one or two they'd like to do which would reserve them for up to a month. After which if no review has materialized it can go back to the pool for someone else. This way people aren't reviewing the same things at the same time(though there's nothing to stop anyone from just doing their own user reviews, granted). With the goal being, at least one user review for every anime release without an official site review.

Post your thoughts, suggestions, and review choices below. And we will see where this goes.

COMPLETED ANIME ON BLU-RAY PROJECT REVIEWS (updated: 4/23/16)
more coming

ANIME ON BLU-RAY WITHOUT OFFICAL BLU-RAY.COM REVIEW (updated: 4/23/16)
Discotek

[Show spoiler]

Sentai Filmworks

[Show spoiler]

coming soon

RESERVED FOR ANIME ON BLU-RAY USER REVIEW (updated: 4/23/16)
coming soon

[Clark Kent]

The site generally doesn't cover niche releases like it once did, there are simply too many being released now once the Hollywood studios started licensing every two-bit catalog property. So niches like horror and anime go unreviewed by the site on the margins.

It's also my impression that anime distributors aren't particularly keen on sending out review copies. Since most anime consumers these days aren't buying a show blind, the companies don't believe the added exposure is worth it.

[BigOnAnime]

From what I've seen FUNi still loves sending out review copies, though I've heard reportedly Sentai is very against sending review copies.

[Naiera]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

So niches like horror and anime go unreviewed by the site on the margins.

Anime reviews by people who don't watch much anime are rarely worth the kilobytes they take up anyway.

[zrdb]

Yeah, I figure that if you watch a lot of anime then you might be qualified to write a short review-god knows I am. LOL

[Naiera]

I can't say that I understand your post completely, but I gather that you're in disagreement with what I wrote.

For people like us, who watch a lot of anime, a review of any given anime series by someone who normally writes reviews of mainstream cinema probably isn't going to be of much use. It might be fine for anyone else, but to understand anime the way we do, you have to watch more than Cowboy Bebop, some Ghibli, maybe Summer Wars and Attack on Titan.

[zrdb]

Originally Posted by Naiera

I can't say that I understand your post completely, but I gather that you're in disagreement with what I wrote.

For people like us, who watch a lot of anime, a review of any given anime series by someone who normally writes reviews of mainstream cinema probably isn't going to be of much use. It might be fine for anyone else, but to understand anime the way we do, you have to watch more than Cowboy Bebop, some Ghibli, maybe Summer Wars and Attack on Titan.

What I mean it that to understand anime you have to watch different genres-not just shonen, etc. A person who watches many different series of various types is much better qualified to express an opinion than one who doesn't. In essence I agree with your view.

[Clark Kent]

I would generally agree that anime reviews by those not steeped in the intricacies of the genre are usually worthless.

Anime movies may be a little different, since they don't require the same level of commitment.

[Snarfs]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

I would generally agree that anime reviews by those not steeped in the intricacies of the genre are usually worthless.

Anime movies may be a little different, since they don't require the same level of commitment.

Honestly, I find most anime reviews to be worthless no matter who's making them. Reviews of the release quality are a totally different story though.

In my experience, I've found most anime reviews to just be masturbatory. They go so in depth, it's like they spoil experiencing the show for yourself. I find the best "reviews" to be short ones...where they say things like, it was made by these people, the genre is mostly this, if you like show A then give show B a shot.

I mean maybe I'm missing something here. Don't people use reviews just to get a general idea of whether or not they'll like something? I've seen reviews on youtube where they break down the plot, the characters, the way the progress, etc. Shouldn't you want to experience those things for yourself?

[Jim Purcell]

There ar two ways to review something, the 'general overview' that typically is about convincing someone else to try something. Generally you keep spoilers to a minimum, and try to impress your emotional reaction on others. As well as technical details.

Then there is the 'critical review' where you go in depth on the actual content itself. Generally in this case you assume your audiance has a working knowledge of what you are talking about. It's is less about selling the thing to someone else as it is imparting a view point about the whole package.

The scope of this project falls in with the former kind of review. As does the typical blu-Ray.com review.

[Oniros]

May I suggest that instead of having the URLs on the OP, that you used the BD tags so this:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Lupin...lu-ray/152335/

Becomes this?

[Jim Purcell]

Originally Posted by Oniros

May I suggest that instead of having the URLs on the OP, that you used the BD tags so this:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Lupin...lu-ray/152335/

Becomes this?

Okay, that's how those tags work. I couldn't quite figure it out. I will take another wack at that when I update the list again.

Does anyone know if we have Spoiler tags that can hide huge lists under unless someone clicks a button? That would be useful. EDIT: Never Mind, that's just regular spoilers.

[Snarfs]

Originally Posted by Jim Purcell

There ar two ways to review something, the 'general overview' that typically is about convincing someone else to try something. Generally you keep spoilers to a minimum, and try to impress your emotional reaction on others. As well as technical details.

Then there is the 'critical review' where you go in depth on the actual content itself. Generally in this case you assume your audiance has a working knowledge of what you are talking about. It's is less about selling the thing to someone else as it is imparting a view point about the whole package.

The scope of this project falls in with the former kind of review. As does the typical blu-Ray.com review.

Yea I've just never understood critical reviews as far as anime are concerned. In my opinion there aren't many that warrant it. They always come across as over thought. The other day I discovered someone who reviews opening animation for anime...seems like a waste of time to me lol.

Well hopefully some people around here do decide to write some general overviews as you called it.

I also think you guys should let one or two other people read them for errors before you post them.

[BigOnAnime]

Well there are people really into the animation aspect of anime (and also what said animators are getting at in a scene, this was meant to show something throughout the episode), and the people animating said cuts, so finding someone like that shouldn't be too surprising.
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