Unboxing [US]: Eureka Seven: Astral Ocean - Part 1: Limited Edition (BD/DVD)

The second season to Eureka Seven has finally arrived (well a few months ago in fact) and I have picked up the special Limited Edition artbox that can fit both parts together for Astral Ocean. Time to unbox this rather nice set (but controversial show in general).

Note that this post has been updated on 20th July 2017 to reflect the current blog format.

Eureka Seven Astral Ocean (also known as Eureka Seven AO) is a 2012 anime series from studio Bones and a 'sequel' of sorts to the original Eureka Seven 2005 series. This show doesn't require much knowledge of the original series until about half-way through, but after that it's a controversial mess if you're a fan of the original series.

This release from Funimation is the limited edition version. Discs are identical to the standard edition but the limited edition comes with a box to house both parts. The first half of the show covers the first 12 episodes in English & Japanese audio with English subtitles across two Blu-ray and two DVD discs. The subtitles are unlockable, and despite the info notes the regions are in fact A & B compatible (Part 2 has noted this) while the DVD is region 1 NTSC only.

Blu-ray Specs:
Languages: Japanese, English
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 2.0 [Japanese], Dolby TrueHD 5.1 [English]
Video: 1080p HD Native 16:9
Region: A B
Subtitles: English
Subtitles Locked: No
Discs: 2

DVD Specs:
Languages: Japanese, English
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 [Japanese], Dolby Digital 5.1 [English]
Video: SD NTSC 16:9
Region: 1
Subtitles: English
Subtitles Locked: No
Discs: 2

Plot Synopsis (via Funimation):
The year is 2025. Earth is engulfed in the crossfire between massive warring alien life forms that leave annihilation in their wake. While searching for clues about his past, Ao is caught in an attack and forced to fly a giant humanoid fighter craft to save himself and his island. Fragments of the teenager's origin come to light when a hostile shape-shifter seeking revenge on Ao's missing mother - who vanished two years after his birth - targets him instead.

Consumed with learning how his machine of war is connected to his mother and the monster that now pursues him, the young pilot will fly full throttle into combat zones without hesitation.

On-Disc Extra Content:
Episode Commentaries
Inside the Booth: Eureka Seven AO
Textless Opening & Closing
Original Commercials
U.S. Trailer
Trailers

Limited Edition Extras:
Chipboard rigid box packaging with blue Blu-ray case, plus slot for Part 2

Eureka Seven: Astral Ocean is available on Blu-ray & DVD from Funimation.