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Feature Presentation:
Special thanks to Geneon Entertainment for sending a copy for a review for this site. Though the series is over, huh? Well, it's not. These three episodes are actually just recaps that suppose to go in between certain episodes during the series. That's why there is a ".5" part comes in on the episode list. The first episode on this volume, it's about Shinbo & Sumomo, talking to each other about the recent event they met with Hideki. The next one is with Minoru & Yuzuki, trying to figure out about Chi's secret. The last one is the best one of all three, with a special ending what happen with everyone, with Hibiya & Kotoko.
Video:
Geneon Entertainment did a very great job, just like the first volume. I found no problem, the image are clear & the color looks perfect. To top things off, the series is feature on Widescreen format. If you got a Widescreen TV, you're going to enjoy this even more. Each episode are split into 4 parts, introduction, part A, part B & ending. There is no preview for the next episode. Since all the episodes are on one single track on the DVD, there is no loading time or changing tracks when you move on to the next episode. Also, they are starting to use the new logo "Geneon". However, if you use the auto-replay track option, it will not work, it will just go back to the menu. I do note that you can skip all those warnings & logos when you first load the DVD by just pressing the "Menu" button on your remote control.
Dubbing: English:
The English dubbing is well done. The dubbing is the same style. Though, I think the dubbing is redo here, since it's a recap, some parts there is a little change, like when Yuzuki introduced herself to Hideki. The dialogue even includes Japanese terms, like "seipai". Geneon Entertainment left them so it can be as close to the Japanese dialogue. It's about 85% of the original Japanese.
Audio 01: English 2.0:
No problem found.
Audio 02: Japanese 2.0:
No problem found.
Subtitle:
As the other volumes, Geneon Entertainment is using the same great font, very easy to read. Yup, the light blue is still use for the introduction & ending theme. The rest remains the same, yellow for the dialogue & white for Japanese sign & text. There are two tracks of subtitling. One track is for the sign subtitling & the other one is for the Japanese dialogue. I might note that that the first & last episodes on this volue, the intro & ending subtitles are in English, while the second episodes are in Japanese original text on this volume.
Menu Option:
The menu is also in widescreen format, but if got just a regular full screen TV, it will display in that format with no problem. As before, you log in when Chi powers up. It's very simple & clean. The menu design remains the same, except it's another picture of Chi, standing there. There is the "Play All", a selection of one of the 3 episodes, "Screen Access", "Set Up" & "Extras". Selecting any options, except if you pick the episodes directly, you will get a little computer changing animation. As the previous volume, you will get some sound effects in the background, like computer sounds. The other section has no backgound music or sound.
DVD Extras:
Oh, the best part on this volume is the featurette called Chibits. No, not Chobits, Chibits, with an "i". It's a special bonus episode about 10 minutes long, about Sumomo & Kotoko teaming together to find Chi because she forgot something. It's hilarous. It's fully dubbed, as well with the original Japanese audio track with subtitle. Also, there is previews for EPS 9.5 & 18.5 (that suppose to go at the end of EPS 9 & 18). There is also a large art gallery, mostly production artwork!
Packaging:
The package carries the same style as the other volumes, this time, it's another shade of green. Since this a bonus volume it follows the same design as the other six volume. There is another beautiful artwork. This time is Chi with a very nice dress sitting on a strange chair. In the back, just a few screenshots, one from each episode on this volume, along with the same picture as the cover. You can also noticed the new logo "Geneon" along side with the old "Pioneer" name. The insert have a nice picture of Chi in a school uniform with Sumomo on her shoulder. As well, an episode list & a mini-poster of Chi in her PJ with Hideki in shocking mode. Since the DVD case is a clear one, you see miss Hibiya. To top things off, the insert match right up with it! On the DVD disc itself, it's a the same shade of green is used as the background with Kotoko this time!
PC Viewing:
Watching it on the PC is the same as watching it on the TV. Very clean, no problem at all, very little pixel (little squares popping in & out), both normal mode & full screen mode. The sound is just great. The episodes are place on one single track as you play the episodes, so loading time is really small. You can fast forward to the first episode to the last episode with one move on your mouse! Like on your regular DVD player, you can skip the warnings & logos when you load the disc, just use the "menu" option to go to the menu screen.
Overall DVD Rating:
I think the episode with Hibiya & Kotoko is the best out of the three, because you get to see everyone one last time with a very sweet ending. As well, the featurette called Chibits is really cute! It's sad that this is actually the last release from this cute series called Chobits.
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