Fireworks (Collector’s Edition Blu-ray & DVD) Unboxing

So SHAFT released an anime film last year and it’s apparently pretty mixed in general, but the Blu-ray release looked nice so I picked it up.

Note: The photos in this unboxing have been updated on 24th June 2019, but the content is identical.

Fireworks (Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka?, also known as Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?) is a theatrical anime film directed by Akiyuki Shinbou from studio SHAFT and publisher TOHO Animation.

The film was released in Japanese theaters on August 2017, and was one of the few recent anime films to be released in UK theatrical screens during 2017 by Anime Limited. Anime Limited have the UK, Ireland & French rights to the film, while GKIDS has the United States & Canadian rights. The English dub was produced by NYAV Post.

Fireworks is based on the 1993 television special from Shunji Iwai and the overall reception is surprisingly mixed in general. SHAFT’s animation impressed the general audience (despite some poor animation in various places) while the story baffled people.

It’s worth pointing out that SHAFT does change their animation between the first showing (whether it’s a simulcast or theatrical) and the home video release, and for some reason, GKIDS is using the theatrical masters rather than the Blu-ray master, oof.

The UK Collector’s Edition release offers the film on both Blu-ray and DVD across a disc each. The film is available in English and Japanese audio with both English and English Hard of Hearing subtitles. The discs, which were authored by GKIDS, are region locked to B and 2 in NTSC format. Also included with the release is a 32-page booklet with a ton of artwork and information about the staff and music.

You can order the film on Amazon UK in standard DVD, standard Blu-ray and collector’s combo pack while stocks last.

Blu-ray Specs:

Languages: English, Japanese
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Video: 1080p High Definition Native format with 16:9 ratio
Region: B
Subtitles: English, English Hard of Hearing, French
Locked Subtitles: No
Discs: 1

DVD Specs:

Languages: English, Japanese
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: 480p Standard Definition in NTSC format with 16:9 ratio
Region: B
Subtitles: English, English Hard of Hearing, French
Locked Subtitles: No
Discs: 1

Plot Synopsis (via Anime Limited):

“While a classroom argument rages about how fireworks look from different angles as they burst forth in the night sky, the reserved Norimichi and his best friend Yusuke are about to compete for an even more explosive event in their young lives – the opportunity to spend some time with a girl named Nazuna with whom they are both smitten. The lucky winner is to be decided by a simple swimming contest, but the effects of this race are far more seismic than Norimichi could have imagined.

When a mysterious glowing ball offers Norimichi a second chance at victory, he comes to learn that even the slightest changes in perspective can make a striking difference to the world around him – a daunting face that might also be the key to helping Nazuna resolve the troubles which plague her…”

Blu-ray On-Disc Extra Features:

Behind the Scenes with the English Cast
Theatrical Trailers

DVD On-Disc Extra Features:

Behind the Scenes with the English Cast
Theatrical Trailers

Collector’s Edition Extras:

Rigid box with clean artwork, title on spine, and slipcover with the information/logos
32-page Booklet
4 Artcards
Poster

Fireworks is available on Blu-ray & DVD from Anime Limited.