Death Parade is a 2015 original television anime series by director and writer Yuzuru Tachikawa, and writer Kunihiko Ikuhara, alongside chief director Shouko Nakamura, writer Takayo Ikami, and character designer Terumi Nishii. The anime was produced by studio Madhouse, and publisher NTV. The series first broadcast in Japan on January 2015 as part of the Winter season.
Background:
“When two people die at the same time, they’re sent to a place that’s neither heaven nor hell – a lavish bar between worlds where the stakes are high and the rules are simple: If you win, you live again, but if you die… you’re gone for good.
Decim is the bartender charged with serving the souls who enter Quindecim. He may make a mean cocktail, but his true profession is to play the role of arbiter – a judge who determines whether or not a soul is worthy of reincarnation. To aid in his judgment, the bar’s patrons are forced to play simple games laced with sadistic twists designed to bring their true natures to light. To Decim, judgment has always been black and white – that is, until he meets a mysterious young woman whose fate seems impossible to decide. His indecision shakes the very foundation of the games and raises the biggest question of all: Who is fit to judge the dead?”
Plot Synopsis via Funimation UK, December 2021.
Death Parade is a very interesting series, with great opening and closing theme songs and a concept that you wish had some more episodes to them. Aired back in 2015, its based on an OVA that Madhouse made a few years prior and overall the show is worth a watch, with elements of mystery and intriguing games that are presented in each episode.
The series had a bit of a rough release for the UK. Anime Limited picked up the UK & Ireland rights and planned to provide an Ultimate Edition release, with ideas like designing the set to be like the elevator in the series.
However, they took too long to the point where Funimation revoked the license for not just Death Parade but also every Funimation title that Anime Limited had sub-licensed over the years. Since April 2019, the show was still left in limbo with no idea on whether it would resurface for the UK & Ireland market, while Funimation in the US had re-released the series for their classics line.
Then, as Funimation eventually absorbed Manga Entertainment completely to which the company is now simply known as Funimation UK, Death Parade came back with not just a standard Blu-ray but also a limited edition.
Limited Edition Contents:
In another rare occurrence, Funimation UK is offering a limited edition that is actually different to the US version. The US release for Death Parade was presented in a elevator style packaging for the rigid box with a digipack to house the discs. The UK release is more akin to their usual traditional style.
This package offers a rigid box that houses the series in an Amaray Blu-ray case and slipcover alongside a few physical items. Those physical items being a 36-page booklet, and 6 Art Cards. The booklet is brief but it includes character designs, background artwork and illustrations of the series.
The artwork is free of any information or BBFC content and the info sheet covers the information and specification like recent Funimation UK produced limited edition releases. Unit count isn’t specified for these sets but is probably around 1000 units for an SRP of £64.99. A standard edition Blu-ray and DVD are also available on the same day as the limited edition release.
I pre-ordered the series via retailer United Publications UK which arrived ahead of schedule, going for £36.
Physical Contents:
- Rigid Box with Amaray packaging and clean artwork
- Info sheet for specification and BBFC description
- 36-page Booklet
- 6 Art Cards
On-Disc Contents:
Distributor: Funimation UK
Released: 13th December 2021
The limited edition release for Death Parade contains all 12 episodes across two Blu-ray discs, with the encode & authoring done by Funimation’s US branch. The audio options available include Japanese with English subtitles and the Funimation English dub.
Death Billiards, the OVA that inspired the TV series, is also included but is presented in Japanese with English subtitles only.
The white subtitles are unlockable during playback, and the regions are locked to Blu-ray players set to B.
Blu-ray Specs:
| Languages | English, Japanese |
| Audio | English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 |
| Video | 1080p High Definition Native format 16:9 aspect ratio |
| Region | B |
| Subtitles | English |
| Locked Subtitles | No |
| Discs | 2 BD-50s |
Blu-ray On-Disc Extra Features:
Disc 1:
- Episode 3 English Audio Commentary
Disc 2:
- OVA – Death Billiards
- Playing with House Money
- Episode 12 English Audio Commentary
- Textless Opening “Flyers”
- Textless Ending “Last Theater”
- Textless Ending “Last Theater” Ep. 1 ver.
- Textless Ending “Last Theater” Ep. 3 ver.
- Textless Ending “Last Theater” Ep. 6 ver.
- Textless Ending “Last Theater” Ep. 9 ver.
- Funimation Trailers
Unboxing Photos:
Final Notes:
Death Parade is available to order through multiple retailers in the United Kingdom & Ireland. The limited edition and standard edition are both available to order on Amazon.
(Disclaimer: Amazon links are also included when available. They are affiliated so if you decide to order them, I’ll earn a small percentage if they ship which will help me with any hauls or small bills.)
The Normanic Vault 