Shikizakura:
Complete Collection
(2021)/Short Peace
(2013/reissue/anthology/both Sentai Blu-rays)
Picture:
B+/A Sound: C+ Extras: C- Main Programs: B+/A
Now
for more anime...
Kakeru
was just a normal Japanese high school boy until one day he runs into
a shrine maiden Oka and he is transformed into a 'hero' with a
mystical power suit. Kakeru then learns of a secret war going on
between the humans and 'Oni's'. Oni's are creatures from another
dimension and they steal the heart, soul and bodies of humans to
enter our world. Kakeru teams up with a group of other young
fighters to fight back and send the Oni's back to their realm in
Shikizakura:
Complete Collection
(2021.)
Kakeru
is a sole survivor of an Oni attack years ago, now he is part of a
secret organization with mystical power armor. Kakeru's armor
however is unique, only his armor possesses a mind of its own, a
consciousness. Ibara and he craves battle, Kakeru makes a deal with
Ibara to let him use his body if he lets him use his power and
together, they will become 'heroes'. At first, the team reject
Kakeru and wants to seal away Ibara, but then after saving them
(again) they realize Kakeru is more than just talk. As Kakeru gets
stronger, he learns Oka's fate as a shrine maiden is to sacrifice
herself to forever seal off the Oni dimension, Kakeru reject the
organization's plan and is determined to save everyone, including
Oka.
This
anime was your typical young boy gets super powers and wants to
becomes a hero. As he grows, he discovers what it means to be a
'true' hero.
The
1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image transfer looks very good
and colorful, as one would expect for a new production and has some
solid detail and depth, while the
DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) Japanese 2.0 Stereo lossless mix is better
than the English dub also included and has Pro Logic-like surrounds.
Extras
include clean opening and closing animations and trailers. Episodes
include:
Hope/Start:
Kakeru one day discovers a secret group of warriors in mystical
armored power armor and now he possesses a unique suit of his own,
Ibara.
United
Front/Tag: At first Kakeru is rejected because he is an outsider,
a 'commoner', but Kakeru is determined to become 'hero' and makes a
deal with Ibara, to use his power and they will become heroes.
Flight/Jump:
Haruko faces her past an insecurity of being an athlete, on facing
her fears, her suit evolves to the next level, her suit turns into a
flight form.
Family/Brother:
Can Kakeru keep his secret from his best friend Kippei that he is now
a hero? Kippei, who is like a brother to Kakeru and he taught Kakeru
everything?
Black
Team/Sister: Oka's older sister arrives and 'tests' Kakeru and
Ibara to see if he is worthy of protecting Oka.
Partner/Ibara:
Kakeru and Ibara must prove they can co-exist, because Ibara is an
'Oni' spirit within the power armor and therefore a danger and
eventually destroy Kakeru.
Smile/Real:
Kakeru takes the team out for 'hero training' by putting on a hero
show for kids.
Dearest
Wish/Mother: Ryu discovers his 'mother' is an Oni, and his real
mother was consumed 5 years, but can he kill an Oni that has the face
of his mother?
Escape/Stop:
Kakeru and Oka elopes. Kakeru finds out Oka's mother is the one who
saved him years ago, however Oka is supposed to be a 'sacrifice' to
forever close the gates to the Oni realm.
Determination/Re:
Start: Oka resigns to her fate, believing her sacrifice is the only
way to save mankind. Kakeru is determined however to change Oka's
fate.
Pulse/Climax:
Oka's father reveals he had never planned to seal away the Oni's
realm, but he planned to use Oka to take control and absorb all the
Oni's powers and become a god. Kakeru and Oka's friends fight the
hordes of Oni, but Oka's father absorbs Kakeru and Oka.
and
Future? Shikizakura: While Kakeru and Oka are inside Oka's
father he shows them a dream world where all their wishes are granted
if they submit to him, but both Kakeru and Oka realizes it's only an
illusion and rejects him. Kakeru and Oka emerge from Oka's father's
body and along with all their friends they destroy Oka's father and
Ibara makes the final sacrifice to close the Oni gates.
Short
Peace
(2013) is a reissue of a Blu-ray from Sentai we covered years ago and
we were curious to see any differences. Based on works from the
author/creator of Akira
and holds up very well since we last looked at it. You can read more
about its four stories from our previous review here:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/12966/Short+Peace+(2013/Sentai+Blu-ray
Apparently
the same transfer, the lossless Japanese DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1
mix, better than the English dub, does not hold up as well as the
picture, but is still fine enough and the release is too important to
not have in print. The original included postcards that this is
lacking and is going for a very, very high amount of money.
Ironically, the new Akira 4K release (unreviewed, but not bad
off of a 35mm internegative versus the better original camera
negative) also has poorer sound than the previous Blu-ray (reviewed
elsewhere on this site) with its still amazing, lossless, Dolby
TrueHd 5.1 at 192/24. The 4K version's sound has reduced bits that
hurt the presentation. Hopefully, if Sentai reissues Short Peace
in 4K, we'll get the same audio or better.
-
Ricky Chiang
