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Feature Presentation:
Special thanks to Geneon Entertainment for sending a copy for a review for this site. This is the second Anime UMD release for the newly PlayStation Portable (PSP) on the market & the first series based Anime, too. Nothing better to hit off with a action pack, hilarious fun, samurai fighting with a twist Anime! Here you get to meet two distinct samurai. One named Mugen, who seems to act all macho who wants to kill anyone to get in his way, while the other, Jin, calm, traditional, reserve. Both of them are completely opposite to each other, but their skills with the sword is impressive. Unawake of their fate, they met up together, almost killing each other in the process. However, they got capture by a power hungry governor & set for execution. Here comes Fuu, a strange but ditzy witness to their rescue & made them promise to help her find a mysterious sunflower samurai in return for saving them. Here we go, the trio of oddness up to send for their journey of love, friendship & courage... Then again, maybe not...
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 dubbing is really very well done. There is some cursing & swearing, but it does work out. 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 (the opening vocal is on English), 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", "Audio Setup", "Subtitle Setup" & "Previews". Selecting any of the options will make a little animation with record discs coming into view. The background music is one of the background music from the series.
UMD Extras:
Even there is a section for 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 is almost the same as the DVD release, if you have seen it or own it. On the cover, you will see Mugen, ready for action, along with the calm Jin & falling off Fuu. In the back, you see some screenshots from the episodes in this volume with a hint of the bad guys! The insert is simple, just all the chapters listing, along with the DVD releases information & for all you new to your PSP, there is instructions how to work your first Anime UMD! On the UMD disc itself, it's just a flow of blood, I think. Since the UMD disc case is a clear one, it's a nice artwork of swords.
Overall UMD Rating:
The only thing that is just sad that it's only two episodes! However, this series brings the "cool" of modern times back to era of the samurais. It's full of action, fun & hilarious moments that you can't get enough of. Check it out & you will see what I mean. It's going to be a blast, so sit back & enjoy. 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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