NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Funimation Blu-ray (September 2019): Firstly, in 2011, we reviewed High School of the Dead on Blu-ray, then last month Prison School on Blu-ray. Sekirei is another 12-part series also having 'fan service' appeal but less than the other two reviewed. (Fan service refers to sequences generally include to titillate the viewer or eroticize a character. This typically includes scantily-clad costumes, up-skirt panty camera angles, cleavage and nudity (in baths or showers). The term 'Ecchi' - the Japanese pronunciation of the letter "H" - and can extend further to more overt sexuality. It is essentially erotic softcore - naked breasts, buttocks, long bare legs (but not exposed genitals), at times, shown in a humorous way. Japanese erotic content is rated "H" while in the rest of the world its more commonly uses an "X" rating.) Sekirei was
serialized in Square Enix's "Young Gan Gan". The animation of Sekirei is not at the same level of the former two, but the series is older. It is transferred in 1080i - which would be how it was originally broadcast. It looks good - but not exceptional. Colors and contrast are more passive. It exports 'okay' in-motion (somewhat clunky) in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio but discerning viewings may see the quality a notch below later Blu-ray anime.

On their Blu-ray, Funimation offer the options of a Dolby TrueHD 2.0 channel stereo in the original Japanese or Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround in the English DUB. There are separations and depth is the series has plenty of violence. Music is credited to Hirokai Sano, the very catchy Sekirei 'theme' is performed by Saori Hayami (#88 Musubi), Marina Inoue (#9 Tsukiumi), Kana Hanazawa (#108 Kusano) and Aya Endo (#2 Matsu) and the end theme song by "Dear Sweet Heart" - agains with Saori Hayami, Marina Inoue, Kana Hanazawa and Aya Endô. Funimation offer mandatory English subtitles on the Japanese track. These are Region 'A' Blu-rays.

The Funimation second, single-layered, Blu-ray includes an OVA - original animated video (released directly to the video market without first going through a theatrical release or television broadcast.) It is the 10-minute long Kusano's First Shopping Trip involving Musubi and Tsukiumi, joined by Kusano, racing to the super market. There are 'Textless' opening and closing credits (running 1.5 minutes each) and some trailers. This package is dual-format with two DVDs with the same content.

I'm starting to figure these animes out - inexperienced adolescents get involved in an adventure with the opposite sex (frequently females with oversized breasts), often a 'stranger in a strange land' newcomer which proposes many 'acclimatization' gags (think Mork and Mindy) and, secondarily, gets exposed to intimacy and 'crushes' after a series 'accidental' erotic encounters. Sekirei is super-hero based - upbeat - fun and has some serious battling action. The Blu-ray image is modest but being digital animation not much can go wrong. It has some, generally, cute 'fan service', as opposed to fetishized, but the focus are the adventure and interpersonal aspects - and its fantasy story complexities. Reminded me a bit of Teen Titans that my son used to watch. However, while still more innocent than the previous two titles (High School of the Dead and Prison School) this is still for adults only.

Gary Tooze