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Feature Presentation:
Special thanks to Geneon Entertainment for sending a copy for a review for this site. Here we are, with a another UMD release & here is the irony of all, this series is actually based on a PS2 game. Right from the beginning, the sci-fi action starts off with a bang, well, a gun type that is, right at the start of the first episode. Brandon Heat, well, now named Beyound the Grave, battle against undead monsters spent by Milleneon, a very large Mafia group, protecting an unknown girl. Things happen so quickly, you wonder what is going on. However, things will be clearer as the story goes by. After the first episode, the series shoot off to the past, telling you the story how the story around Brandon Heat & well, the mysterious Harry MacDowel, a best friend of Brandon. A life in the street, a life where criminal rules over sociality, the way of the mafia. It's the survival of the fit rules all...
Video:
Geneon Entertainment did a very great job. This series is feature on Widescreen format, so it fits right on the spot on your PSP screen. There is some watermarking done, translating the credits to English. It is crisp & clear, no problem. Each episodes are separated into 5 parts: the introduction, part A, part B, ending & the preview for the next episode! Since all the episodes are on one single track on the UMD, there is no loading time or changing tracks when you move on to the next episode. I do note that you can skip all those warnings & logos when you first load the UMD by just selection the "Menu" on your PSP. There is already a DVD out already, if you wish you see it on your TV!
Dubbing: English:
The English dubbing is well done. It's about 85% of the original Japanese.
Audio 01: English 2.0:
No problem found. Recommended listening via headphones or an external speaker system.
Audio 02: Japanese 2.0:
No problem found. Recommended listening via headphones or an external speaker system.
Subtitle:
Geneon Entertainment have selected a great font, very easy to read, but as always, since the PSP has a small screen, you might have trouble reading it without looking closely. Of course, it varies from person to person. White is the prefer color for the regular subtitling & Japanese signs & text. There is only one subtitling track, which is for the Japanese dialogue, so if you want to see the translation for the ending vocal (there isn't any opening vocal), you must turn the subtitle on. I might note that every odd numbered episodes, the ending subtitles are in English, while the even numbered episodes are in Japanese original text on this volume.
Menu Option:
The menu is also in widescreen format, fits right on the PSP screen. The menu shows some dazzle artwork with a clip from the episodes on this volume in the background. There is the "Play", "Setup" & "Previews". Selecting any options will make "Beyound the Grave" shoot the menu to process the command, which is really cool, also taken from the episodes on this volume. The background music is one of the music you will hear during the series, but the other section has no background music.
UMD Extras:
There isn't really any extras, just trailers for other Anime releases. This might be due that, well, UMD discs have a limited space, so you're pretty much stuck with none.
Packaging:
The package reflects the style of the series. On the cover, you will see Beyound the Grave wit his awesome duel handgun with Brandon & Harry in the background. However, it doesn't comes in a metalic finish like the DVD release. On the back, they are many screenshots from the episodes in this volume, with all bullet shell all around. The insert is simple, just all the chapters listing & for all you new to your PSP, there is instructions how to work an UMD disc! There is also information on the DVD releases, along with the OST CD. On the UMD disc itself, it's just a brown-scale close-up of his gun. Since the UMD disc case is a clear one, you jsut see the cover in larger format.
Overall UMD Rating:
The only thing that is just sad that it's only two episodes! However, I find this series very cool & it starts off with a bang. Full with action, drama, all about how the mafia works, as well as friendship & honor. By now, most of you have seen the DVD version, so if you love that series enough, this is perfect to bring along with your PSP to watch during long trip! For all who have not, this is a perfect addition to your UMD collection!
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