GATE (Limited Edition Blu-ray & DVD) Unboxing

GATE (Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri), also known as Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There!, is an anime series from studio A-1 Pictures and publisher Hakuhodo DY MAP (also known as Showgate). The anime is based on the light novel series written by Takumi Yanai, though many know more about the manga adaptation when they think of the source material. Like most anime in recent years, the series is split into two different cours during its airing run – the first half aired in July 2015 and the second half aired in January 2016.

Sentai Filmworks acquired the rights during simulcast and when they changed their model the series was caught up in the mix so that they could release it as one complete collection rather than two split cour sets. In addition to the release, they also provided an English dub and a limited collector’s edition set. Like DanMachi and Monster Musume, the limited edition set is experimental of sorts where the main box is actually an ammo case this time around with the contents included inside.

The limited edition is designed like an ammo box, and inside includes the main series as well as a bunch of physical extras. These include a hardcover Art Book that is 172 pages long as well as another box that holds a Dragon Logo Banner, 6 double-sided art cards, a GATE patch, and a small replica of Rory’s axe which is pretty neat in detail.

Released in September 2017, GATE from Sentai Filmworks contains the entire 24 episode series (which was released as a split-cour) across three Blu-ray discs and five DVD discs. Audio options available include the main Japanese language with English subtitles and the Sentai Filmworks English dub, though the subtitles are locked during playback. The regions for the Blu-ray is geo-locked so you’ll only need a games console that has a Blu-ray drive or a normal Blu-ray player with the country code set to the United States to play the discs. The DVD is set to Region 1.

As of 2019, GATE‘s limited edition is no longer available in print but may have stock available on Amazon US, however it is available to purchase as a standard edition Blu-ray set as well.

Blu-ray Specs:

Languages: English, Japanese
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0, Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0
Video: 1080p High Definition Native format with 16:9 ratio
Region: A
Geo-Locked Region: United States
Subtitles: English
Locked Subtitles: Yes
Discs: 3

DVD Specs:

Languages: English, Japanese
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0, Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0
Video: Standard Definition at NTSC format with 16:9 ratio
Region: 1
Subtitles: English
Locked Subtitles: Yes
Discs: 5

Plot Synopsis (via Sentai Filmworks):

“When a mysterious gate suddenly appears in Tokyo’s Ginza district and begins spewing armed warriors and flying monsters, the world is thrown into turmoil. Although the deadly attack is thrown back by Japan’s Self Defense Force, there’s now a new and entirely unknown land on the other side of the portal, and Japan is effectively at war with a nation on the other side.
Determined to secure peace, the JSDF must send an armed force into the Gate, but ogres, dragons and a ruthless Empire populated by elves, humans, and half-animal warriors aren’t the only dangers they’ll face. With the resources of two worlds at stake, the balance of power on both sides of the Gate is destabilizing, and betrayal can come at any time, from any quarter. There, trapped right in the middle of the ensuing firestorm, stands officer Yoji Itami and the JSDF’s Third Reconnaissance Team as they plunge into the GATE.”

Blu-ray On-Disc Extra Features:

Disc 3:

Japanese Promos
Clean Opening Animation “Gate (Sore wa Akatsuki no You ni)”
Clean Opening Animation “Gate II (Sekai o Koete)”
Clean Closing Animation “Prism Communicate”
Clean Closing Animation “Itsudatte Communication”

DVD On-Disc Extra Features:

Disc 5:

Limited Edition Extras:

Rigid Box with Clean artwork, Title on Spines, Info on Bottom Side
172-page Hardcover Booklet
Rory’s Axe replica
6 double-sided Art Cards
GATE Patch
Dragon Logo Banner