Death Parade: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]

Death Parade is one of those rare shows that can't quite be defined by mere labels. Some refer to it as a horror story, and while there are definitely some unsettling moments to be found here, I never felt such a label did it justice. Additionally, the show is not without a humorous side, but it's most definitely NOT a comedy. Instead, I think the best way I could describe Death Parade would be to call it a "macabre adventure story".Death Parade's story centers on individuals who die and are sent to a dimension where they are judged by arbiters, enigmatic beings who look human. The arbiters have the deceased play certain games (darts and air hockey to name a couple) to determine if they'll be reincarnated or sent to the void, a dark dimension from which there is no escape. A major focus of the show is the emotion displayed by characters once they learn they are dead; many respond with varying degrees of anger and sorrow while some are calmer, even accepting of it.Related to my synopsis above, a major mystery within the show is that of the arbiters' true nature; are they emotionless psychopomps as they claim, or is there more beneath their stoic demeanors? As I mentioned above, the emotions displayed by the dead once they discover their impending fates range from frustrated fury to calm resignation, and it's those displays of humanity's best and worst traits that leaves an impact on our main characters. Our main protagonist, an arbiter named Decim, claims to have respect for humans who lived a full life, yet it's made clear that even he doesn't fully understand humanity and all that we go through. One thing this show must be lauded for is character development; Decim grows and evolves as he continues his duties and even more minor characters are interesting and likable.I think I've spoken of the show's plot and themes enough, so let me discuss the visuals; this show is nothing short of gorgeous! Characters are well animated, expressive and lovingly detailed. While the show tends to recycle environments, said environments are beautiful, meticulously detailed and feature colors that pop like firecrackers. Though the show is thematically dark and sometimes depressing, you wouldn't know it to look at the environments; watching this show, you really feel like a profound sense of love went into creating the visuals.Let me just say that, as a rule, I've always preferred dubs; nothing against subs, but I like to hear lines in my native language. You may disagree but that's just my opinion, you don't have to agree. However, let me just say that one actor stands out in particular in Death Parade's dub; Mr. Alex Organ as Decim. Seriously, this man deserves some kind of award for managing to inject such quiet personality into such a stoic character. I'd listen to Mr. Organ/Decim read me a dictionary!To close out this review, let me just say that Death Parade is something special. It's simultaneously beautiful and dark, lovely yet macabre. It's a show that reminds you of the fragility of life and the beauty and tragedy of humanity.There's simply nothing else quite like it, it has to be experienced.

- Synopsis: This anime revolves around a mysterious bar and various bartenders that serve as a judge in order to determine if their clients deserve a second chance at life. The games are simplistic in nature and help bring out the true character of their clients. Although the clients may appear ordinary, once the games begin, their true nature starts unraveling with the help of twisted and sadistic games. The bartenders act like spectators at a game, and when it concludes, they render their judgment.===========================================================================================================- Comments: I own the DVD version of this anime. Not the Blu-ray, but there are plenty of similarities. This anime is dark, sadistic, and definitely more suitable for a mature audience. This is great for viewers that enjoy animes that do not necessarily have happy endings, as well as content that are thought-provoking.- Analysis: There's a lot of interesting concepts addressed in this anime. At least one of them is something that people tend to keep hidden in the corner of their minds: Life and death. Furthermore, some gamers (and anime characters) have this mindset: Life is a game. Whether one likes it or not, the starting result is that humans live, and then they eventually die. There's no changing the starting and ending result. It's a reminder that we, and many other living things are mortal.Since the winners of the game are reincarnated, this gives implication that the creators or those involved with the anime, are interested in reincarnation. It should be noted that not everyone believes in the after-life, but this is still an interesting concept, nonetheless. Furthermore, not many animes discuss or address the concept of reincarnation. Additionally, having the mind-set that a better place is waiting for us, or that we get a second chance when we die is much more appealing than thinking that we die and that's it. Game over. Since I'm cynical, I treat my life as one that doesn't get second chances. Better safe than sorry.As this anime emphasizes, perspective is a significant deciding factor. Whether a person is optimistic or pessimistic, that will shape our decisions and actions, among other things. Consider the question: Is the glass half-full or half-empty? These kinds of questions easily divide people into various categories that can become fairly complex. As such, this anime basically revolves around a more extreme version of similar questions. The questions of morality are also constantly present in this anime.- Features: The DVD version contains 12 episodes on 2 discs with a run-time of about 5 hours. It also has English and Japanese audio with English subtitles. This is rated TV-MA for violence, blood and gore, and suggestive scenes.- Conclusion: A dark and sadistic anime with people's lives being on the line. An anime that is suitable for mature viewers that enjoy thought-provoking material, and stories that don't always have a happy ending. A lot of thought went into the various concepts that are addressed in this anime. As such, there's various educational material if one focuses on certain aspects.===========================================================================================================- Recommendations: Steins;Gate, Chaos;Head, Psycho-Pass, Deadman Wonderland, Code:Breaker, Persona 4 The Animation, Black Lagoon, Death Note, Parasyte the Maxim, and Claymore.

Spoiler free review.The premise of this show is as follows. When 2 people die at the same time, they are sent to a purgatory like place and they are judged by playing a game. What waits for them is either reincarnation or the void. The intro music to this show is very good and if I recall, won a award for best opening in its day.The voice actors are great fits for their animated characters.The animation is vibrant and fills the context of show very well.The overall story is well written. Each episode explores human nature and how people behave. A clear villain is not always the case.I recommend this show very much if you like darker shows and are not a little squeamish.

Thoughts: Death Parade is an incredibly original and experimental that deserves praise for creativity alone. When two people die at the same time, they both appear in a mysterious bar and are judged by an arbiter. They are judged based on how they react to a game they play. Based on what they do, one could go to Heaven (reincarnation) or Hell (the void). I was hooked on the first episode and finished the whole series in one sitting. Death Parade is skillfully written and worth your time. I watched the series in both English and Japanese dub. Both do an excellent job in my opinion (and I'm not really a fan of English dub).Features: It contains the complete series (12 episodes on 2 DVDs / Blu-rays) with the box cover slip. Cover art is not reversible.

Here is a quick review of the show for those of you who haven't seen it (I imagine that if you are here it's because you have seen the show and are wanting to buy it):It's very good, with lots of deep insight into the emotions of people that will make you either sad or happy depending on the episodes. A few of the episodes go off on tangents that don't have anything to do with the rest of the show but the narrative driven episodes are so great they make up for it.As for this product, it is a Region A Blu-ray which means it will not play on English players unless you have a multi region Blu-ray player. It does come with the DVD versions as well, which are still American region locked but 90% of players out there are multi region so you should be able to watch it.It comes with a few extra features including commentaries for episodes 3 and 12 as well an OVA called 'Death Billiards' which is set before the beginning of the series.It is well worth getting if you are able to watch it.

Easily one of the most unique and charming yet sad animes that had a great premise only to be let down by the license deal falling through resulting in Distributions of it for the UK/ Region 2 bluray not being available as of now you can only get it from another region.(With that said It's still worth it to support and own and as of writing this another show Chivalry of a Failed Knight suffered a similar fate but is now available again over here so hopfully the same can happen here one day)

An excellent, morbid series about playing pub games in the afterlife!Warning: All blurays I've bought that are region A have played on my UK (PAL) PS4, but this isn't one of them. Just a heads up.

Are you an anime fan? Then you'll love this......a must see.....that's all I'm going to say.

brilliant anime would recommend it to buy well worth the price