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

ADDITION: Cult Epics Blu-ray (August 20125): Cult Epics have transferred Nobuhiko Obayashi's "His Motorbike, Her Island" to Blu-ray. It is on a dual-layered disc with a very high bitrate. Obayashi's visual experimentation is the film's hallmark, blending monochrome and color to signify emotional states: black-and-white evokes Ko's "monochrome dreams" of pure happiness on his bike, while color intrusions signal desire, disruption, and memory's vibrancy. Jump-cuts infuse energy and haste, disrupting continuity to mirror the unpredictability of youth. Freeze-frames and aspect ratio shifts (e.g., expanding frames during confrontations) heighten tension, drawing from French New Wave influences like Pierrot le Fou. The 1080P transfer captures the dreamlike cinematography and dynamic compositions of rural landscapes and motorcycle sequences with clarity and depth, making it a significant upgrade for fans of the director's stylistic boldness. Cinematography (Yoshitaka Sakamoto - The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Kamikaze Taxi, House) captures the thrill of riding, with wide shots of landscapes symbolizing freedom, while close-ups on flickering flames (blending color/monochrome) evoke temporal fluidity. It supports the many dark scenes without losing detail. Textures can be thick and reflect a film-like presentation.

NOTE: We have added 54 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Cult Epics offer either a DTS-HD Master or linear PCM dual-mono tracks (16-bit) - both in the original Japanese language. The soundtrack shifts dynamically - light-hearted pop to dramatic swells - complementing the visuals and underscoring romantic highs and lows. These techniques create a dreamlike immersion, where reality and nostalgia coexist, enhancing the film's emotional depth. The audio effectively supports the film's dynamic soundtrack that blends poppy teen-melodrama tunes with the roar of motorcycle engines and wind effects, ensuring an immersive auditory experience that complements the narrative's themes of freedom and romance without any notable distortions or issues. Cult Epics offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

The Cult Epics Blu-ray extras package is thoughtfully curated to deepen appreciation of the film, starting with an audio commentary by Samm Deighan (The Legacy of World War II in European Arthouse Cinema) that provides insightful analysis of Obayashi's directorial choices and cultural context; a 25 minute visual essay "Becoming the Wind: His Motorbike, Her Island and the Biker Movie" by Esther Rosenfield exploring the biker genre influences; a 20 minute visual essay "Her Island: Onomichi Pt. 1" by Alex Pratt delving into the film's setting and themes; a 1/4 hour archival interview with director Nobuhiko Obayashi offering personal reflections; and a theatrical trailer. Packaging enhancements (see below) include a new slipcase design by Sam Smith, a reversible sleeve featuring the Japanese original poster art, and a first pressing reproduction of a 24-page Japanese booklet (pamphlet), making this a complete package.

Nobuhiko Obayashi's "His Motorbike, Her Island" stands as a mesmerizing entry in the director's prolific career, adapting Yoshio Kataoka's 1977 novel of the same name. Known for his eclectic style that blends whimsy, nostalgia, and experimental visuals - most famously in House (1977) - Obayashi here crafts a romance that doubles as a road movie, exploring the fleeting nature of young love against the backdrop of Japan's evolving youth culture in the 1980s. The film marks the acting debut of Riki Takeuchi (Battle Royale 2, Tokyo Tribe, Deadly Outlaw: Reeka) as Ko Hashimoto, a temperamental biker, alongside Kiwako Harada (Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah) as the enigmatic Miyoko Shiraishi (often referred to as Miyo), with supporting roles by Noriko Watanabe as Fuyumi and Tōru Minegishi (Godzilla vs. Biollante, The Fall of Ako Castle) as Ko's friend. Shot with a dreamlike aesthetic, the film worships biker subculture while delving into deeper psychoanalytic and sociocultural themes, earning praise for its innovative use of color and monochrome to evoke memory and desire. At its core, His Motorbike, Her Island is a meditation on love, loss, and the transformative power of memory. The motorcycle serves as a central metaphor - not just for freedom and rebellion, but as a phallic symbol embodying masculinity, desire, and erotic fixation. Cult Epics' Blu-ray edition of His Motorbike, Her Island stands as an important release for enthusiasts of Nobuhiko Obayashi's work, offering an HD presentation that honors the film's sentimental exploration of young love and biker culture. 

Gary Tooze