Unboxing [US]: Darker Than Black - Season 1: Premium Edition (Blu-ray)

Funimation has once again prepared another Premium style release, but this time it's applied to an existing catalogue title. Limited to only 5000 copies, here's a look at what the set has to offer.

Darker Than Black aired back in 2007 from studio Bones and Aniplex. It's become of the most popular and quite well known anime to appear from the past decade and after 8 years has finally been given an English Blu-ray release from Funimation. I've been aware of this show for quite some time so I'm happy to finally see the show for the first time.

This release was handled by Funimation and to be quite honest, I am not a huge fan of the Premium treatment with this set. You may be wondering why I picked it up, well it's because it's the only version available to get the first season on Blu-ray. Many fans have had issues with the packaging with scratched and/or misplaced discs from the final result, and by hearing that does trouble me. To be safe I'll be placing the discs in an empty Blu-ray case.

The Premium Edition is packaged like one of those special envelopes which only a special agent should see. The contents include a digipack with the first season (25 episodes) across 3 Blu-ray discs, an artbook, a display easel for the set and the usual Funimation on-disc contents. The discs are locked to Region A presumably due to Aniplex's licensing (however Season 2 is compatible with Region A and B).

Blu-ray Specs:

Languages: Japanese, English
Audio: Dolby True HD 2.0 [Japanese], Dolby True HD 5.1 [English]
Video: 1080p HD Native 16:9
Region: A
Subtitles: English [Japanese language, On-screen Text/lyrics]
Subtitles Locked: Yes
Discs: 3

Plot Synopsis (via Funimation):

A new and deadly breed of covert agent walks the streets. Known as Contractors, these assassins and spies wield bizarre supernatural powers to carry out the dirty work of others. They thrive in the underworld, between rumor and reality, their loyalties always in question. One among these operatives is more mysterious than the rest – The masked killer BK201, the Black Reaper. His true identity and intentions remain unknown, but as his path weaves through the shadows and alleys of Tokyo, blood is spilled on both sides of the law. It’s a new age of confusion, and the rules of engagement have changed.

Extra Content:

Specialty ''classified'' packaging
48-page art book
Display easel
Episode Commentaries
Cast Auditions
Production Artwork
U.S. Trailer
Trailers

Darker Than Black Season 1 is available but limited on Blu-ray by Funimation, the DVD Anime Classics version has been discontinued so there is a possibility of a future combo pack Anime Classics set being planned. Everywhere else the DVD version is still available by Manga UK and Madman.