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

Inu-Oh (犬王) is a 2021 theatrical anime film based on the novel Tales of the Heike: Inu-Oh written by Hideo Furukawa. The adaptation is directed by Masaaki Yuasa and produced by studio Science SARU. Staff credits also include writer Akiko Nogi, character designer Nobutake Ito, and music composed by Yoshihide Otomo. The film was first released at the 78th Venice International Film Festival in September 2021, before receiving a theatrical release in Japan in May 2022.

Background:

“Inu-oh is born with unique physical characteristics, and the horrified adults cover every inch of his body with garments, including a mask on his face. One day, he meets a boy named Tomona, a blind biwa player, and as Tomona plays a delicate song of tangled fate, Inu-oh discovers an incredible ability to dance. Inu-oh and Tomona become business partners and inseparable friends, using their creative gifts to survive on the margins of society, as song after song gain them notoriety and propel them to stardom. Through the songs, Inu-oh mesmerizes his audiences on stage, and gradually begins to transform into someone of unequaled beauty. But why is Tomona blind? Why was Inu-oh born with unique characteristics? It is a story about the friendship of Inu-oh and Tomona, who dance and sing to get to the truth and break each other’s curse.”

Plot Synopsis via Anime Limited, August 2023.

Science SARU have released a number of unique anime projects throughout the course of their career. Many will recognise them for their television shows like Devilman Crybaby, Japan Sinks: 2020 and one of my favourites in recent years Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! Their film selection is pretty interesting as The Night is Short, Walk on Girl and Lu Over the Wall were released close to each other and both entertaining in their own ways. Ride Your Wave was the last SARU project I watched film-wise and I thought it was decent but I kept thinking about Lu Over the Wall whilst I was watching because of the ocean/swimming aspect to it.

So now we have their latest film Inu-Oh which was a project that Anime Limited actually announced to have licensed as soon as it was revealed, when all we knew was a logo and the title. Eventually years went by and we later discover that it’s a historical musical which fits in line with Masaaki Yuasa’s style. Whilst I wasn’t able to watch the film when it was released in UK theatrical screens, at least we now have the Blu-ray that has finally made its way here.

GKIDS had also licensed Inu-Oh for North America and released the film dubbed and subbed in their cinemas and on home video before the UK.

Collector’s Edition Contents:

Anime Limited originally announced the collector’s edition for Inu-Oh to be available with two versions but currently it seems for the time being the set is now exclusive to their online webstore. The main difference was the inclusion of five additional art cards, though there’s a chance a non-exclusive version could be made available later.

The package is presented as a rigid box housing a Scanavo case that includes the Blu-ray & DVD discs. Also included with the set is a 40-page booklet, a poster, three art cards and a replica Shikishi art card. The booklet features character designs, artwork and illustrations by the staff and from the film.

The artwork is free of any information or BBFC content and the info sheet covers the information and specification like previous Anime Limited releases. The collector’s edition Blu-ray & DVD set is limited to 1000 units for SRP £39.99. A standard Blu-ray will also be available on the same day as the collector’s release.

I pre-ordered my copy through Anime Limited’s store during their early bird sale at £24.99 but using their membership discount for £22.49.

Physical Contents:

• Rigid Box with Scanavo packaging and clean artwork
• Info sheet for specification and BBFC description
• 40-page booklet
• Poster
• 3 Art Cards
• Replica Shikishi Art Card
• 5 Additional Art Cards Exclusive from Anime Limited’s store

On-Disc Contents:

Distributor: Anime Limited
Released: 7th August 2023

The collector’s edition release for Inu-Oh contains the film on a single Blu-ray disc and DVD disc, with the encode and authoring produced by VDMS.

Upon starting the disc you’ll be greeted by the option to choose between English and French. The audio options for selecting English include Japanese with English subtitles and the NYAV Post English dub commissioned by GKIDS. Selecting French will offer Japanese with French subtitles and a French dub commissioned by @Anime. Both audio and subtitles are locked between each of them (so if you choose English and want the French dub, you’ll need to go back and select the French menu).

The white subtitles are locked during playback, and the regions are locked to Blu-ray players set to B and DVD players set to 2 with NTSC playback.

Blu-ray Specs:

Languages	English, French, Japanese
Audio	English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Video	1080p High Definition Native format 2.39:1 aspect ratio
Region	B
Subtitles	English, French
Locked Subtitles	Yes
Discs	1 BD-50

DVD Specs:

Languages	English, French, Japanese
Audio	English Dolby Digital 5.1 French Dolby Digital 5.1 Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1
Video	Standard Definition in NTSC format 2.39:1 aspect ratio
Region	2
Subtitles	English, French
Locked Subtitles	Yes
Discs	1

Blu-ray On-Disc Extra Features:

• Otogizoshi Story Book
• ‘Inu-Oh’ Interview with Masaaki Yuasa
• Career Interview with Masaaki Yuasa
• Intermission ‘Inu-Oh and Tomoichi’
• Cast Interview
• Trailer

DVD On-Disc Extra Features:

No extras on this disc

Unboxing Photos:

Final Notes:

Inu-Oh is available to order across multiple retailers in the United Kingdom. The collector’s edition Blu-ray & DVD is currently exclusive to Anime Limited’s store, whilst the standard edition Blu-ray can be acquired through Amazon UK, Anime Limited’s store, MVM’s Anime-on-Line and United Publications.

(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.)