LUCKY STAR: The Complete Series on BD/DVD

Back in 2008-09, Bandai Entertainment released LUCKY STAR to DVD in the USA. I bought up all the limited edition releases, deluxe boxes containing DVDs with alternate covers, bonus CDs, and T-shirts I could never wear. Bandai went under, and now, some years later, Funimation has rescued the license (alongside HARUHI SUZUMIYA, coming soon), and re-released the series to both DVD and also Blu-ray. My little review here will more or less critique the release, not the show, which is every bit as good as I remember.

Slipcover (left) and insert (right). The imagery is the same on both.

I should start by saying, this is a BD/DVD combo, a concept personally I am not a fan of. I have no particular need for the DVDs (especially considering the fact I have all the original Bandai releases). I wish they'd have just given two separate options. I HAVE known some people to sell off the DVD or BD discs, but that may be a problem here, you'll find out why under the Extras.

Video/Audio: The show looks and sounds great. Very colorful. No complaints.

Subtitles: The subtitles are locked on the BD edition when on the Japanese version. Boo.

Reverse-side cover art.

Extras: There's a pretty decent collection of extras here, a few items not on the original Bandai releases, and a few exclusive to the American DVDs. The main issue is, some of the extras are ONLY on the DVDs, and some are only on the BDs. Meaning, if you're one of those people that sell off the discs you don't want... you're gonna have to keep them if you want those bonuses. Unless I'm incorrect, I believe all of the extras from the Bandai releases are replicated here, including English voice actor interviews which are quite interesting.

Extras come in the form of:
-Both BD/DVD: The OVA (no dub, same as the Bandai release), On-Screen Text Reference Guide*, US Trailer (Funimation)
-BD only: Lucky Racer "Checker Flag in Akihabara & Lucky Racer Highlight", Radio Kansai's Public Recording of "New Lucky Channel"
-DVD only: Promo Clip, The Adventures Of Minoru Shiraishi Parts 1-11, English Voice Cast Interview Parts 1-3

Packaging: Instead of a chipboard artbox, Funimation opted for a double-thick standard BD case with a slipcover, and reversible insert. Nothing terribly exciting. The discs are decorated with the same hand-drawn stars shown on the cover, no character art. No characters on the cover spine, which is a disappointment for me. The reversible cover has a different front image culled from the Bandai "Anime Legends" complete series release, and the back replaces the show description with an Extras listing.

 

If you're new to LUCKY STAR, or just want to upgrade to BD, I highly recommend this release. Here's looking forward to Funimation's grandiose box set of HARUHI SUZIUMIYA in September!

For more info on LUCKY STAR as well as viewable episodes, check out the official site.