Kitaro

A classic manga series in Japan, "Gegege no Kitaro" has spawned many television series, animated series, films and video games but this time, the popular series gets a modern adaption which stars pop singer Eiji Wentz (of the group WaT) as the main character KITARO, popular Japanese actress Lena Tanaka as Neko Musume, KOYUKI (The Last Samurai) and many others for this 2007 Japanese summer blockbuster.The film is in essence a Japanese family film about the Miura family. Young Kenta has had a tough life. His mother has passed away, his father is worried about finances that he is considering of taking his wife's wedding ring to the pawn shop, he lives with his sister and there are monsters trying to kick the tenants out of the apartment complex? Who are you gonna call? KITARO.Eventually, things start to get more serious when a special rock is introduced to the picture and Kenta's father steals it and tells Kenta to hide it. This rock has thrown the human and spirit worl to an awry place as the yokai of the spirit world look for the rock, even some spirits who want it to destroy humankind. Will KITARO be able to protect Kenta and will he be able to stop the yokai who are after the rock?VIDEO & AUDIO:The picture quality for "KITARO" is featured in 1080p (1080p High Definition Anamorphic Widescreen) and the Blu-ray transfer was nice but not eye-popping spectacular. I didn't see any artifacting or dust or scratches. As for the audio, audio is featured in 6.1 Dolby EX and 6.1 DTS ES. Although not provided in TrueHD, for those with a home theater receiver that can play DTS will get a good output in their speakers during the action scenes and also during the musical segments of the film. I did not listen to the English dub (I prefer not to watch Asian films with an English dub), so I can't tell you how the voice acting is. But I can tell you that the English dub is in 5.1 Dolby Digital.SPECIAL FEATURES:"KITARO" has several special features included on the Blu-ray disc: * Theatrical Trailers - Subtitled theatrical trailers * TV Spots - Subtitled TV commercials featuring various TV spots focusing on a character in the film. * The TV Special "Yokai in the City" - This 35-minute featurette (perhaps in collaboration with the Japanese YouTube due to the logo in the bottom right corner) is a campy introduction to yokai (spirit) monsters and I guess you can say it's targeted for children, as these monsters look like a monster you would see on a Power Ranger TV series and they are at the Playground or somewhere in Tokyo with kids and their families in awe while watching these monsters fall or act quirky. * The "making of" "Yokai in the City" - A 10-minute making of which features the actor and actresses who don the various monster costumes for the special.I have to admit that I was quite surprised that this film was released in the US. With most Japanese films typically samurai or action-based films, "KITARO" is a film that is a true Japanese film that it has that Japanese humor and even the element of yokai (spirits) with the tengu's and the various type of monsters of Japanese folklore.The film will definitely satisfy popular among anime and manga fans of the series and a film that carries the quirkiness of Japanese monster fighting of monsters made out of rubber suits but also a good deal of CGI work as well.Personally, I found it entertaining and to see Eiji Wentz in his first major character role as KITARO was quite amusing since I'm more familiar with his musical work. Lena Tanaka is one of the highly demanded young actresses in Japan and although her role was quite limited as Neko Musume (a character who likes KITARO but he doesn't feel the same way about her), she was charming as always. Also, to see KOYUKI (as Princess Tenko) and Shido Nakamura (as O-Tengu) make appearances in this film, also gives appeal to the non-child demographic who wanted to see the film.Is this a children's film in the essence of a "Chronicles of Narnia" type of film? The film starts off that way focusing on the young Kenta's character but it starts to focus more on KITARO and him wanting to help Mika and Kenta and him starting to care for a human (which the spirit world forbids). Also, is it as good as a "Chronicles of Narnia" or "Spiderwicke Chronicles"? As mentioned, there are quite a few monsters in the rubber suits in this film and their is a slight campiness that I am privy to these type of Japanese films and television shows (having watched many "sentai" Ranger or Kamen Rider-related shows), something that may turn off American's who are used to seeing their monsters CGI'd and much more threatening. So, it does have that sci-fi campiness of a Sentai film but with bigger names and a popular series with nearly 50 years behind it.I was familiar with previous incarnations of the series and even own the soundtrack for the "Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro" song (albeit for the 2008 film).As for the Blu-ray, the video quality was gorgeous and the sound was very well done through the 6.1 DTS track and from KITARO shooting out his hair needles to some major thump in the action sequence, it sounds great and of course, the music sequences came out clear. I do wish there were cast interviews or something else included on the Blu-ray instead of the "Yokai in the City" but nevertheless, for those who want to see more of the actors in rubber monster suits, then you have a 35-minute featurette to keep you entertained.But all in all, I could have never anticipated a modern film being created that would be based on this older manga and anime series and watching it, it does capture the imagination and the heart and soul of the original manga and anime series and I enjoyed it.I'm not sure if the film would attract American or International audiences but for those who are familiar with Japanese film and television especially the sentai shows and watching actors in monster suits or get-ups, then the film can be enjoyable. Otherwise, during this time where monsters are typically CGI'd some may find this film a bit campy. So, it depends on the viewer.But I really am happy that Ronin Entertainment/BCI did release this in the United States and can only hope that they release more Japanese films (that you would never expect to be released outside of Japan) stateside on Blu-ray.

If you've never seen the anime this series might not be for you. There are simply too many references and easter eggs that will go unnoticed or seem pointless. If you have, or if you have a good knowledge of Japanese monster myths, you will enjoy this film.The story is not going to blow you away, but at least it is coherent and something you can follow, which is good for this sort of anime to live action genre. It's also important to note that the TV anime rarely took itself seriously and was a kind of corny, creepy horror anime for kids. That said, I'm certain many adults who grew up on it found guilty pleasure in watching this movie translation.It looks great on blu-ray and a couple of scenes stand out - in particular the flames on the wheels of a train in one scene, a fox spirit's tail hairs, and dad eyeball in a basket on a river.All in all, a colorful, fun movie, but don't expect anything serious -- you'll find the end credits top off the mood of the whole movie...!

I liked this film. My wife found it difficult to understand, but if you have a concept of the Japanese religions, then the plot should be pretty straight-forward. I found the special effects to be very good along with the acting. All in all, the movie might be better for a younger crowd, but I found it fun and entertaining.

I have only seen a few of the anime episodes that this movie is base on. Like the few episodes I have seen, this movie is a good. Some of the characters and effects you can tell are CG but the style fits with the feel of the movie.

Even with the English sub titles, this is a very family friendly movie. At first I thought it was too much for kiddies but after a few minutes I enjoyed the story. Good moral to the story and the graphics are perfect and not overpowering.

Loved this movie. It reminded me of my childhood growing up in Japan and watching this cartoon. Great memories.

didn't realize this was a cartoon or whatever it is, made a mistake thought I was ordering a dvd concert of the musician Kitaro, what can I do

My kids love the movie very much and the video quality was great we watch the movie on Thanksgiving we love it and thanh you.

Clever and watchable film but not for the very young, hence the PG rating. The characterisation by the actors is very good. The film is visually first class. Magana comic portrayal. My only concern is the Kitaro charactor played by Wentz Eiji. He really does not contribute much to the story line or the film as a whole, in fact his character is a 'bit wet'. Wentz Eiji is certainly 'out' acted by the rest of the cast. But the film is enjoyable to watch and worth watching again. I will not give the story line - only to say it is funny and sad in the right proportions. This film is definately worth buying because you will watch it more than once. RJC

This one is definitly Region A, it will not play in a european (Region B) Bluray player.. (the productlist here speaks of Region 1 even though it's Bluray)..

Again waste of money.I wanted Kitaro the Muscian The Best Of Kitaro in Concert Bluray DVD Only

A rollercoaster ride through this half human / half goblin's world. Of course it's barking but the characters are engaging and the animation lovely. If you liked the comics then the film isn't going to disappoint.

Based on a the comic - Kitaro follows the adventures of a supernatural team led by the one-eyed title character. And he is but the start of a wonderful mixture of characters both good and bad in this deceptivley simple story of a pair of children who get into trouble after their father dies having gotten involved with a mystical object.While it can seem to drag on in places, this is a good way to spend a quite sunday afternoon if ou don't mind the subtitles.