Unboxing [UK]: Grimgar: Ashes & Illusions (Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash) - Complete Series: Collector's Edition (Blu-ray)

Grimgar finally arrives in the UK under Anime Limited, and they've given the release a pretty solid treatment.

Grimgar: Ashes & Illusions (Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash / Hai to Gensou no Grimgar) is a 2016 anime series based on the light novel of the same name written by Ao Jyumonji. The anime was adapted by studio A-1 Pictures and published by TOHO Animation.

The series has a naming issue. The original name given was Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash and had been used throughout its simulcast release and also the light novel version distributed by Seven Seas Entertainment. But out of nowhere Funimation decided to use Grimgar: Ashes & Illusions which is apparently based on a fan-translation but is also used for the Japanese OST collection. Meanwhile in Japan the show is also called Grimgar, Le monde de cendres et de fantaisie (which pretty much translates to Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash) and is the main title used for the French release.

Since Anime Limited distributes the title in France they carried over the French name for the collector's edition release. Yes this title is also on the Japanese Blu-ray sets so in a way they can get away with it - it's still better than calling it Ashes & Illusions.

The Anime Limited Collector's Edition release contains all 12 episodes plus the OVA across 2 Blu-ray discs. The audio options include English & Japanese with English subtitles, and they are based on the Funimation masters which means the subtitles are unlockable also. The discs are region locked to B only however. The booklet this time around is also hardcover which is pretty neat and not that common for AL's collector's edition sets.

You can order the release on AllTheAnime and Amazon UK. Standard edition DVD also available.

Blu-ray Specs:

Languages: Japanese, English

Audio: Dolby TrueHD 2.0 (Japanese), Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (English)

Video: 1080p HD Native 16:9

Region: B

Subtitles: English

Subtitles Locked: No

Discs: 2

Plot Synopsis (via Anime Limited):

After waking up in a strange new world surrounded by people who can’t remember who they are or where they came from, Haruhiro finds himself drafted into the service of the Volunteer Soldiers. Together with a ragtag party, he must set out to make a name for himself in a world where magic and monsters are part of everyday life. But danger waits around every corner, and the small group soon discovers how quickly a life of adventure can be cut short. Faced with the reality of their situation, each member will have to choose how far they’re willing to go, and how hard they’re willing to fight to survive in the world of Grimgar.

On-Disc Extra Content:

OVA 2.5: Staking Our Youths on the Bath Wall - One More Centimeter

Episode 4 Video Commentary

Trailers

Collector's Edition Extras:

Chipboard Artbox: Clean Box w/Title on Spine, Logos/Info/Specs on Sheet of Paper, Digipack for Discs

40-page Hardcover Booklet

Grimgar is available on Blu-ray and DVD from Anime Limited.