Ushio & Tora Complete Series Collection contains all 39 episodes of Ushio & Tora. Previous editions of this collection have been out of circulation for a while, therefore this release is a fresh chance for fans of the anime to get their hands on the complete series.
Tonally speaking, Ushio & Tora can be separated into two halves.
In the first half the show is lighter in terms of tone. There aren’t many episodes in which the plot carries over, and the titular characters are usually concerned with fighting the monster of the week. While there is humour throughout the show, there is more of it in the early part of the show. Since the big bad hasn’t appeared yet, more focus is put on how the characters react to the various challenges they face.
The second half of Ushio & Tora is more serious. The major villain has shown up by this point and episodes are more serious as a result. One of the anime’s themes is the destructive power of hatred. How it can hurt someone to feel hatred as much as it does those around them. This theme slowly develops over the course of the collection’s 39 episodes until it is front and centre. The show also loses its episodic format and the plots of the episodes flow more seamlessly. Even though the words “part 2″ don’t appear often in an episode title, more than one episode towards the end of the show serves to resolve an episode that came before”.
Ushio and Tora‘s change in tone may seem unbalancing when considering all of the episodes together, but it is a change that is earned. As convoluted as the details plot can get it stays grounded emotionally in its themes of anger, friendship, and moving past inner pain.
Different parts of the collection are therefore bound to appeal to different people. Viewers might enjoy the simple silliness on display early on, but be put off by the more complex story that develops, or vice versa.
Viewers can choose to watch this episode in the original Japanese (with subtitles) or in English. Sub vs. Dub is an ongoing debate among anime viewers. This collection lets viewers choose which approach they would prefer to take.
Ushio & Tora Complete Series Collection is a new opportunity to watch an anime that has been unavailable through legitimate means for a while. The series itself is an action-packed fantasy, with elements of classic Japanese horror. It can feel a bit overly complex at times, but the narrative ultimately comes together in a satisfying way that builds on earlier story threads. Although it doesn’t offer anything special in terms of special features, it is the most complete version of Ushio & Tora that it can be. It is also is the best value for money for someone looking to watch this series as a whole.
Special Features: Clean Opening Animations/ Clean Closing Animations/ Japanese Promo Videos/ Also Available from Sentai Filmworks
USHIO & TORA COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR: SATOSHI NISHIMURA / WRITERS: VARIOUS / STARRING: DAVID MATRANGA, BRETT WEAVER, JOHN SWASEY, LUCI CHRISTIAN, ALLISON SUMRALL, MARTY FLECK / RELEASE DATE: 9TH OCTOBER
