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OVA High School of the Dead - Drifters of the Dead [Blu-ray]
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Video: Section 23
Disc: Region: 'A' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player) Runtime: 0:16:11.971 Disc Size: 5,260,038,035 bytes Feature Size: 3,408,746,496 bytes Video Bitrate: 18.09 Mbps Chapters: 33 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: November 26th, 2013
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 3784 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3784 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio Japanese 2107 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2107 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles: English (SDH) or English DUB
Extras: • Also available from Sentai Filmworks • BD Credits
Bitrate:
Description: When an unplanned stop on a deserted island gives Takashi, Saeko and the rest of the ragged band of survivors a chance to expose themselves to something other than zombie bites for a change, they're more than ready to take a break and let their hair down. Discovering the remnants of an old beach store, the entire group strips to swimsuits and sets out to make the uninhabited island inhabitable, but they're unaware that this seeming paradise is actually just the dead calm before the storm. Because sometimes the recently deceased aren't the only problems that can lie buried in the sand, and as the swimwear comes off and the inhibitions come down, a kink in the island's food chain sets a truly shocking series of events into motion! You won't believe what comes out next, but suffice it to say that the deserted island may not be so deserted after all! It's an extra special H.O.T.D. that's even hotter than usual as the naked and the dead come together like never before in HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD - DRIFTERS OF THE DEAD!
The Film: The episode begins with a voiceover by Takashi giving an extremely fast recap of the previous episodes, interspliced with various ecchi scenes. The scene then shifts to the present day where Takashi and co. have arrived on a small, remote island in the middle of the sea which is supposedly cut off from the outside world. Saya sighs and asks how they ended up here (in a rhetorical manner). Kohta then begins explaining how they were on the run from "them" and inadvertedly ended up on the island as it "was a pain" to continue onwards. However, an exasperated Saya tells him to shut up. The rest of the gang then catch up to meet with the two. Rei comments that it might be a nice place to stay for awhile, but Saya contradicts her, saying that there are no facilities or shelter on the island. Alice then catches sight of a beach shack and points it out to Saya, much to her annoyance (and the others' delight). After checking out the shack (which apparently used to be a multi-purpose store) and selecting bathing suits, the gang come out. Everyone ends up a little creeped out at Kohta, who has chosen a female school swimsuit. Takashi meanwhile has been forced to wear an extremely tight speedo that highlights his crotch. Excerpt from Wikia located HERE
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. Drifters of the Dead is represented as a continuation of High School of the Dead, but the connection is tenuous. The content is around 10-minutes if you subtract the extensive credits. Even at that this Blu-ray has only a fraction of its capacity and still exports a low bitrate. The animation is lazy with plenty of 'panned stills' and repetition of sequence and backgrounds. It lacks the bold colors of the original series and detail and depth are not a premium levels. Why so stingy on the bitrate when you have nothing but empty space on the single-layered disc? Contrast seems only adequate exporting a dull appearance that may be a strong representation of the animation. I don't know. By modern standards, especially animation, this is fairly lackluster. This Blu-ray doesn't take advantage off the video capacity of the format by any means.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :The disc defaults to a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround at 3784 kbps of the English DUB version OR you can choose a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel stereo at 2107 kbps of the original Japanese with English subtitles. The bold theme music has energy and sounds crisp enough with both range and depth. More dynamic than the video although there is not much action outside of the fast-cut credits. My Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.
Extras : Nothing but adverts for similar Japanese animation series and a static page of production credits.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze November 16th, 2013
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 5000 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
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find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. 60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD
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