Unboxing [US]: GATE - Complete Series: Limited Edition (BD/DVD)

Rightstuf were selling some more damaged stock of various collector's sets and one of them was for GATE. I watched the first half and enjoyed it so I decided to wait for the Blu-ray release to finish the rest of the series. It took this long to finally pick it up, and in case you're wondering the damage is pretty minor so it was a solid deal in the end.

GATE (Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri, also known as Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There!) is an anime series from studio A-1 Pictures and publisher Hakuhodo DY MAP (also known as Showgate). The anime is based on the light novel series written by Takumi Yanai, though many know more about the manga adaptation when they think of the source material. Like most anime in recent years, the series is split into two different cours during its airing run - the first half aired in July 2015 and the second half aired in January 2016.

Sentai Filmworks acquired the rights during simulcast and when they changed their model the series was caught up in the mix so that they could release it as one complete collection rather than two split cour sets. In addition to the release they also provided an English dub and a limited collector's edition set. Like DanMachi and Monster Musume, the limited edition set is experimental of sorts where the main box is actually an ammo case this time around with the contents included inside.

Inside the ammo box is the complete series on 3 Blu-ray discs and 5 DVD discs covering all 24 episodes each. The series is available in English & Japanese audio with English subtitles, though the subtitles are locked during playback. The regions for the Blu-ray is geo-locked so you'll only need a games console that has a Blu-ray drive or a normal Blu-ray player with the country code set to United States to play the discs. The DVD is set to Region 1. Also included with the main series inside the ammo box is a hardcover artbook that is 172 pages long as well as another box that holds a Dragon Logo Banner, 6 double-sided artcards, a GATE patch, and a small replica of Rory's axe which is pretty neat in detail.

Blu-ray Specs:

Languages: Japanese, English

Audio: DTS-HD MA 2.0 (for all three languages)

Video: 1080p HD Native 16:9

Region: Geolocked to United States

Subtitles: English

Subtitles Locked: Yes

Discs: 3

DVD Specs:

Languages: Japanese, English

Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 (for all three languages)

Video: SD NTSC 16:9

Region: 1

Subtitles: English

Subtitles Locked: Yes

Discs: 5

Plot Synopsis (via Sentai Filmworks):

When a mysterious gate suddenly appears in Tokyo's Ginza district and begins spewing armed warriors and flying monsters, the world is thrown into turmoil. Although the deadly attack is thrown back by Japan's Self Defense Force, there's now a new and entirely unknown land on the other side of the portal, and Japan is effectively at war with a nation on the other side.

Determined to secure peace, the JSDF must send an armed force into the Gate, but ogres, dragons and a ruthless Empire populated by elves, humans, and half-animal warriors aren't the only dangers they'll face. With the resources of two worlds at stake, the balance of power on both sides of the Gate is destabilizing, and betrayal can come at any time, from any quarter. There, trapped right in the middle of the ensuing firestorm, stands officer Yoji Itami and the JSDF's Third Reconnaissance Team as they plunge into the GATE.

On-Disc Extra Features:

Japanese Promos

Clean Opening & Closing Animations

Limited Edition Extras:

Rigid box modelled after an ammo case. Clean artwork with title on spines and info on the bottom side

172-page Hardcover Booklet
Rory's Axe replica
6 double-sided artcards
GATE Patch
Dragon Logo Banner

GATE is available on Blu-ray and DVD from Sentai Filmworks.