“Everything I’ve wanted to protect is right here with me in spirit.”
The countdown to destruction has begun! All will join to reclaim an Edo in grave peril! The Earth is facing its darkest days, and the members of the Odd Jobs must come together to save it from this otherworldly menace.
Old allies Gintoki, Takasugi, and Katsura strive their hardest for their own ideals, but standing in their way is someone with whom they share a sad history: Utsuro, an alternate personality of their former teacher and mentor Shoyo. Having been spawned by Altana, the energy that fuels all planets, this immortal fiend has regenerated multiple times until finally becoming Utsuro, the ultimate enemy … And he intends to take down the entire Earth in order to end his own life.
Gintoki and the others set out to fulfill the wishes of their teacher Shoyo and thwart Utsuro’s plans. Shinpachi, Kagura, the Shinsengumi, members of the Kabuki District, and even former enemies will join their fight.
As Utsuro’s power grows, Takasugi fights for his very life. What does Gintoki, battered and bruised, see at the very end? Will he be able to put an end to all of this?!
For thoughts on Gintama: The Very Final, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic here.
Video Quality
Gintama: The Very Final comes to Blu-Ray from Shout! Factory with a stunning and vibrant 1080p transfer. The colors present in this transfer are practically leaping off the screen with the wide range of hues permeating every inch of the frame. The textures, from the character designs to the environments, are extremely impressive and give the film a real sense of depth. One of the areas where the film really shines is the fluidity of the character designs. The subtle touches that are added to each individual is quite striking. The level of detail these animators put into each environment shines through here. Black levels are incredibly strong with no hint of compression artifacts or digital anomalies of the sort. This is simply a beautiful looking Blu-Ray presentation.
Audio Quality
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless track is presented here in its original Japanese and an English dub with optional English subtitles. The track is a lovely sounding experience that brings the movie to life in a really pleasing manner. Dialogue comes through crystal clear at all times without being overshadowed by any of the intense battle sounds or the score. There are some really fun panning effects in the rear channels that add a nice layer to the story. The score is precise in its placement throughout the room as it envelops the audience. The track employs some good activity in the low end when the things get a little more kinetic, which is much of the film. There is also a nice amount of sonic detail in the surround channels as the sound of various battles create a world fully realized. The English-language cast does a decent job, but stick with the original Japanese language for maximum enjoyment. This is a stellar sounding release that should more than please fans of the film.
Special Features
- Trailers: A 30-second and 90-second trailer are provided here that sets up the epic final adventure.
Final Thoughts
Gintama: The Very Final is purported to be the closing chapter in a beloved long-running series. From an outsider’s perspective, The Very Final appears to give moments to a lot of fan favorites while satisfying the need for a well-rounded climax. There are numerous moments of unbelievable action and gut wrenching loss, yet the film does not completely lose its sense of zany humor that is an important part of its identity. The final half-hour appears to be strictly for the fans, which is always welcome when you have devoted so much time and emotion to a creative endeavor. Shout! Factory has released a Blu-Ray featuring a dazzling A/V presentation, but not much in the way of special features. If you love this series, there is no reason not to pick this up. If you are a newcomer, the film is strong enough to possibly convince you to start up the series when you are done. Recommended
Gintama: The Very Final is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Shout! Factory has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
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Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.