The Normanic Vault: Unboxing [UK]: Assassination Classroom - Season 1 Part 1: Limited Edition (Blu-ray)

As part of the Christmas Day 2017 haul, here is a series that I did watch a couple episodes during its simulcast then just stopped watching it. But now I have it thanks to the Anime Limited 12 Days of Christmas sale.

Assassination Classroom (Ansatsu Kyōshitsu) is a 2015 anime series based on the manga written by Yūsei Matsui. The anime was adapted by studio Lerche, director Seiji Kishi, and published by Fuji Creative Corportation. Assassination Classroom is also part of Shonen Jump and became one of the most popular titles at its time.

While the manga had a solid following it didn't pay off for the English audience as no one picked it up until the anime got popular enough (publishers feared the concept might be problematic due to the current climate). Nevertheless it all got resolved when Viz Media got the manga rights while Funimation simulcasted the anime and even offered an English dub for it, plus Koro-sensei himself appeared in the J-Stars Victory Vs fighting game which helped the series exposure for the west.

While Funimation released the series in North America, the UK & Ireland release was announced under Anime Limited's belt. However this is actually a Funimation UK title, with the series released as an almost replica of the US set for the UK. The same also occurred with Rage of Bahamut: Genesis.

The UK limited edition release is the same as the Funimation US version with some minor tweaks. For starters the format is Blu-ray only so the slim-case is smaller, and the chipboard box actually has a readable spine whereas the Funimation release wasn't clear enough due to the design. Aside from that everything else is in-tact and identical.

For the discs, the first half of the show's first season offers episodes 1-11 plus episode 0 across two Blu-ray discs in English & Japanese audio with English subtitles. The discs are both regions A & B compatible and the subtitles are locked. The on-disc content as mentioned is the same as the Funimation US release.

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 [Japanese language & On-screen]

Subtitles Locked: Yes

Discs: 2

Plot Synopsis (via Funimation UK):

At Kunugigaoka Junior High School, class 3-E is the lowest of the low. With abysmal test scores and no future prospects, they’ve been given up on and hidden away from the main campus at the top of a deserted mountain. But when a super-powered tentacled creature with a thirst for destruction becomes their new teacher, they’ve got a brand new assignment to get them inspired about school: take him out.

In addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, the murderous monster behind the lectern will teach his students everything he knows about the assassination game. Should some eager beaver prove to be a Grade-A assassin, he or she will save Earth from extinction – and collect a hefty reward. But they’d better study up, because their saboteur sensei has already taken out most of the moon, and our planet is next on his list!

On-Disc Extra Content:

Episode Commentaries (1, 7)

Episode 0 "Meeting Time"

Interview with the Cast

Textless Opening Song

Textless Closing Song

Previews

U.S. Trailer

Funimation Trailers

Limited Edition Extras:

Chipboard Artbox - Clean Box (Title on Spine), Blu-ray sized case for discs, Info Sheet

Cardboard slot for Season 1 Part 2 standard edition Blu-ray set