Unboxing [US]: Air - Complete Series: S.A.V.E. (DVD)

Among the additional Anime Limited titles from MCM Comic Con London were also two catalogue titles from well over a half-decade ago by Funimation. Here's an overview of the first of two imports I bought from the convention.

Air is an anime based on the eroge visual novel created by Key and this is actually the second adaptation of the source material. The first was done by Toei Animation as a motion picture while this version was instead handled by Kyoto Animation. Funimation had the rights to both versions but the motion picture is no longer in print (and also suffers from the horrible S.A.V.E. spine). I've only seen Clannad so I'm excited to see how the original adaptations were handled in contrast (while one day waiting for the visual novel to receive a retail release in English). The show has been released on Blu-ray in Japan but it's not English-friendly as far as I'm aware (if so the re-releases probably don't have them) and the English territories won't release it on Blu-ray due to licensing.

This version released by Funimation is the S.A.V.E. edition, but you're probably wondering where the heck the ugly spine is and the sticker? Well it's because the sticker was missing from the package (it will come with a sticker if you see it in America) when I bought it at MCM. The best thing about the sticker titles is that it's basically the version released before it ended up in the S.A.V.E. line. The release contains the entire 12 episode series (minus the episode 13 recap) as well as the Air in Summer specials. Since it's DVD, the discs are Region 1 only and have unlockable subtitles.

DVD Specs:
Languages: Japanese, English
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 [Japanese, English], Dolby Digital 2.0 [Japanese, English: Disc 3 only]
Video: SD NTSC 16:9
Region: 1
Subtitles: English [Japanese language, On-screen Text/lyrics]
Subtitles Locked: No
Discs: 3

Plot Synopsis (via Funimation):

Air TV is a lavishly-crafted series that seamlessly melds moments of the surreal with everyday life. The heartfelt emotion of this fascinating visual experience is sure to leave fans teary-eyed for years to come.

Yukito is a travelling performer. He moves through this world with only the clothes on his back – driven onward by stories of “The Girl in the Sky”. Not knowing when or if he will find her, Yukito wanders, clinging to fleeting hope.

Destitute and near starvation, Yukito\’\s life changes after the eccentric beauty Misuzo offers him food and shelter. This fragile treasure shares with him her dreams of a life lived amongst the clouds, and he listens closely out of a gratitude which soon gives way to rapt curiosity.

The unlikely pair grows close, but Yukito cannot forget his destiny – or his past. In the end, the compelling need to find “her” remains. Who is the girl in the sky? Does she even exist? The questions run rampant, but the answers float aimlessly through the air.

Extra Content:
Air in Summer specials
Clean Opening
Clean Ending
Trailers

Air is available on DVD by Funimation.